Gentle massage to reduce pain among people over the age of 85 in nursing homes – a pilot study

Background

With a growing population of old people, care needs will increase as many will suffer co-morbidity with severe symptoms such as pain. Pain is the most common symptom yet, to a great extent unrecognized and untreated in this population. Pain is described to be overwhelming, debilitating, difficult to diagnose and affecting quality of life.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of gentle massage among old people suffering from co-morbidity and pain living in nursing homes.

Preliminary results

Stimulation of CT fibers through gentle massage may normalize physiological parameters, reduce pain and increase quality of life in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Clinical implication

A positive result will give strength to the evidence that massage is a method helping to relieve pain and improve quality of life among old people with pain at nursing homes.