In a randomized controlled trial, 15-minute daily back massages for one week performed on 44 family caregivers of patients with cancer resulted in improved blood pressure, cortisol level, heart rate, sleep quality, and state anxiety in the caregivers.
The study concluded that oncology nurses can take advantage of back massage—a non-pharmacologic and easily implemented method—as an independent nursing action to support caregivers for patients with cancer.
Read the abstract here.