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 ■ PULSE 57