ASK THE EXPERT
Barbara Thomley
1.
Anew study conducted by Barbara Thomley, coordinator of outpatient services in the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, reports key findings on the benefits of massage to patients who have undergone breast surgery.
The study evaluates the effectiveness of massage therapy in alleviating the levels of pain, anxiety and tension of 46 breast surgery patients who were offered a massage treatment a day after their surgery. Recipient of the 2010 Ruth Stricker Spa and Wellness Award, Thomley received a research grant of $ 2,500 to help fund her research. The Ruth Stricker Spa and Wellness Award is given to help to initiate research that identify opportunities for the spa industry to meet current health care needs, promote wellness, and enhance quality of life.
What were the key findings of your research?
One of the key take-home messages is that hospitalized patients value the benefits they received from massage and are willing to invest their own resources to incorporate massage into the hospital experience.
2.
Since one of the factors prohibiting patients from getting a massage is cost, what did your study reveal as far as a patients’ willingness to pay for a post-surgery massage treatment is concerned? By allowing patients to select the duration( and, hence the cost) we provided the patients with a relatively inexpensive approach to incorporating massage into their hospital experience.
3.
Armed with these data from the study, what are the next steps for Mayo Clinic as far as ensuring that patients get the optimum healing experience? We have a comprehensive approach, including partnerships with the departments of Surgery, Nursing, and Medicine, along with strategic support from Administration and the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. Working in an inter-disciplinarian fashion, we are continuing to refine the use of massage, acupuncture, and mind-body approaches to enhance the health and wellness of all hospital patients at Mayo Clinic.
January / February 2012 â– PULSE 57