Patients Are Powerful

Chiropractors, like me, often find that one of their patients is a caregiver to a family member who is suffering from a progressive disease. And, frequently, that disease is cancer. Family caregivers are truly the dearest of all patient advocates, and sometimes they feel helpless in easing the pain of their loved one. So I was very interested in a study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute that found that family caregivers can significantly reduce the suffering of a family member who has cancer, through the use of simple touch and massage techniques.

Ninety-seven multi-ethnic cancer patients were chosen and they represented 21 types of cancer (nearly half with breast cancer) and all stages of disease. The caregivers included spouses, adult children, parents, siblings and friends. Researchers evaluated the outcomes of a 78 minute DVD instructional program and illustrated manual shown to the patients and their caregivers.

Caregivers in the experimental group were asked to apply the instruction for at least 20 minutes, three or more times per week for a month. Caregivers in the control group were assigned to read to the patient for the same amounts of time. Patients completed report cards before and after sessions rating their levels of pain, fatigue, stress/anxiety, nausea, depression, and other symptoms.

Companionship alone had a positive effect as the results showed significant reductions for all symptoms after both activities. But, even though symptoms were reduced from 12-28 percent after reading, massage from a caregiver led to reductions of 29-44 percent. The greatest impact was on stress/anxiety with a 44 reduction. This was followed by a 34% decrease in pain, a 32 percent decrease in fatigue, a 31 percent reduction in depression, and a 29 percent reduction in nausea. In addition, caregivers in the massage group showed gains in confidence and comfort with using touch and massage as forms of caregiving.

“Touch and massage are among the most effective forms of supportive care in cancer, but most patients cannot access professional practitioners of these methods on a regular basis,” said principal investigator, William Collinge, PhD, president of Collinge and Associates. “It appears that family members who receive simple instruction in safety and techniques can achieve some of the same results as professional practitioners. This has important implications not just for patient well-being, but for caregivers as well. Caregivers are at risk of distress themselves. They can feel helpless and frustrated when seeing a loved one suffer. This gives a way to make a difference for the patient, and at the same time increase their own satisfaction and effectiveness as a caregiver. It also appears to strengthen the relationship bond, which is important to both.”

The DVD program is now released to the public, titled “Touch, Caring and Cancer: Simple Instruction for Family and Friends,” in English, Spanish and Chinese. More information and video trailers are available at http://www.partnersinhealing.net.

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