3.1. Patient characteristics
A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to massage
therapy (n ¼ 30) or standard care (n ¼ 28). The average age of
participants in the control group was 68.1 years; in the intervention
group, 64.3 years. The groups had no significant differences in age,
sex, or baseline scores of pain, anxiety, and tension (Table 1).
3.2. Effect of massage on pain, anxiety, and tension
Comparison of the changes in pain, anxiety, and tension
between the 2 groups showed a statistically significant improvement
in all 3 parameters (Table 2 and Figs. 1–3).
3.3. Feasibility
After each scheduled session, the massage therapist was
instructed to identify any barriers to providing massage to the
participant. The principal challenge identified centered on
patient status. On several occasions, the patient was either