Massage and aromatherapy are being used increasingly by nurses to enhance the wellbeing of patients in paliative care settings, yet little evaluation of these therapies has been undertaken. This article reports on a quasi experimental study comparing the effects of an 8-week course of massage, with or without the addition of a blend of essential oils, on patients undergoing cancer treatment. Findings from the study suggest that massage has a significant effect on anxiety and this was found to be greater where essential oils were used, although the small sample prevented this from being established conclusively. Massage was reported to be universally beneficial by patients, it assisted relaxation and reduced physical and emotional symptoms. The authors call for more research to be conducted in this area with larger cohorts of patients. Copies of the full research report for this study may be obtained from the Macmillan Practice Development Unit, Center for Cancer and Palliative Care Studies, Institute of Cancer Research/Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Fulham road, London SW3 6JJ.

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