Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy.
Journal Article (Clinical Trial;Journal Article)
Women diagnosed with breast cancer received massage therapy or practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for 30-min sessions 3 times a week for 5 weeks or received standard treatment. The massage therapy and relaxation groups reported less depressed mood, anxiety, and pain immediately after their first and last sessions. By the end of the study, however, only the massage therapy group reported being less depressed and less angry and having more vigor. Dopamine levels, Natural Killer cells, and lymphocytes also increased from the first to the last day of the study for the massage therapy group. These findings highlight the benefit of these complementary therapies, most particularly massage therapy, for women with breast cancer.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Hernandez-Reif, M; Field, T; Ironson, G; Beutler, J; Vera, Y; Hurley, J; Fletcher, MA; Schanberg, S; Kuhn, C; Fraser, M
Published Date
- April 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 115 / 4
Start / End Page
- 495 - 510
PubMed ID
- 15809216
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0020-7454
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1080/00207450590523080
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England