A Swedish study found that light massage can reduce pain, anxiety, and the need for opioid medication in terminally ill patients, Reuters reports. Study co-author Linda Bjorkhem-Bergman told the news agency that she and her colleagues studied 41 patients hospice patients who received an average of three 15 to 45-minute treatments of light massage on their hands, feet, or back during their stay. Patients’ perceived pain, well-being, and anxiety decreased by approximately 2 points on a 10-point scale from those treatments. Patients also requested just half their typical “rescue dose” medication in the 24 hours following the light touch therapy.
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