Mazlum, S., Chaharsoughi, N.T., Banihashem, A., & Vashani, H.B. (2013). The effect of massage therapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric cancer. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 18(4), 280–284.

To determine if massage therapy was effective relief for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children with cancer

Patients in the intervention group received a 20 minute massage 24 hours and 30 minutes before a chemotherapy infusion and 24 hours postinfusion. A trained massage therapist used a Swedish massage technique with effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapping movements. Mild to moderate pressure was used. Subjects were randomized by a randomized number table. Patients could elect to use olive oil with the massage. No music was used during the therapy. The control group received normal care, but the therapist was present 24 hours and 30 minutes before an infusion as well as 24 hours postinfusion. Data were collected during chemotherapy and 48 hours postinfusion.

• N = 70  
• MEAN AGE = 8.6 years
• MALES: 52%, FEMALES: 48%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Majority of patients had acute lymphocytic leukemia 
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Pediatrics, ages 4–18 years

• SITE: Single-site  
• SETTING TYPE: Outpatient    
• LOCATION: Iran

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
• APPLICATIONS: Pediatrics

Randomized, controlled trial

• Baxter Animated Retching Faces (BARF) scale (ages 4–9)
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (ages 9–18)

There were no significant differences between the intervention and the control group in terms of gender, type of cancer, or emetic potential of chemotherapy. There was no difference between groups in regard to nausea during chemotherapy. There was a significant difference in frequency (p = 0.001), duration (p = 0.002), and severity (p = 0.002) of nausea 48 hours after chemotherapy. There was no difference in vomiting at the time of chemotherapy, but there was a significant difference in the severity (p = 0.005) and frequency (p = 0.013) of vomiting 48 hours postinfusion.

Massage therapy may effectively decrease nausea and vomiting 48 hours after chemotherapy infusion in children.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Other limitations/explanation: Two different measurement instruments were used depending on the age of the child in the study.

Massage therapy, administered both before and after a chemotherapy infusion, may be effective in limiting CINV in the pediatric population. Massage was not effective at relieving anticipatory CINV that occurred at the time of infusion.