A qualitative scoping review of massage and massage therapy on the mental health and well-being of individuals living with a serious and potentially life-limiting physical illness

Background: Serious illness “is a health condition that carries a high risk of mortality and either negatively impacts a person’s daily function or quality of life or excessively strains their caregivers.” Purpose: The aim of this review was to explore the contribution of massage and massage therapy to the mental health and well-being of individuals living with a serious and potentially life-limiting illness. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step scoping review framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE (OVID), PsychINFO, CENTRAL, Web of Science, PROQUEST Dissertations and Theses, and Scopus were searched to identify qualitative or mixed-methods studies. The qualitative data were coded from the studies and themes emerged. For the final stage of analysis, a thematic synthesis was utilized. Findings: Sixteen papers were included from eight countries. The overarching theme was “the effable and ineffable impacts of massage” informed by the following themes: massage as a transcendent experience, existential respite, massage helping to preserve dignity, increased inner resources, well-being and relaxation as part of the individualized and personalized vocabulary for massage for the seriously ill, and varied outcomes of the effect of massage on physical symptoms. Conclusion: Good mental health and well-being are important aspects of living well with serious illness. The review found there is a considerable body of research which points to the value and impact of massage on outcomes of well-being and mental health and, broadly, on patient experience.