A randomized controlled trial of meditation and massage effects on quality of life in people with late-stage disease: a pilot study.
Anna-Leila Williams, Peter A Selwyn, Lauren Liberti, Susan Molde, Valentine Yanchou Njike, Ruth McCorkle, Daniel Zelterman, David L Katz
Journal of Palliative Medicine October 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2005.8.939 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA combination of meditation and massage improved overall and spiritual quality of life more than either intervention alone or standard care among people with late-stage AIDS. Fifty-eight residents of an AIDS-dedicated nursing facility were randomly assigned to one month of meditation, massage, both, or standard care. The combined group showed significantly greater improvement in overall and transcendent (spiritual) quality-of-life scores at eight weeks compared with the other groups. The results suggest that pairing a meditation practice with physical touch may address both spiritual and physical needs near end of life.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled blinded factorial pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Residents with late-stage AIDS or comorbidity in a skilled nursing facility |
| Interventions | Meditation Massage |
| Duration | 1-month intervention, 8-week follow-up |
| Key finding | The combination of meditation and massage significantly improved overall and spiritual quality of life in people with late-stage AIDS compared to either intervention alone or standard care. |
Abstract
Certain meditation practices may effectively address spiritual needs near end-of-life, an often overlooked aspect of quality of life (QOL). Among people subject to physical isolation, meditation benefits may be blunted unless physical contact is also addressed. To evaluate independent and interactive effects of Metta meditation and massage on QOL in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Randomized controlled blinded factorial pilot trial conducted from November 2001 to September 2003. An AIDS-dedicated skilled nursing facility in New Haven, Connecticut. Fifty-eight residents (43% women) with late stage disease (AIDS or comorbidity). Residents were randomized to 1 month of meditation, massage, combined meditation and massage, or standard care. The meditation group received instruction, then self-administered a meditation audiocassette daily. A certified massage therapist provided the massage intervention 30 minutes per day 5 days per week. Changes on Missoula-Vitas QOL Index overall and transcendent (spiritual) scores at 8 weeks. The combined group showed improvement in overall (p = 0.005) and transcendent (p = 0.01) scores from baseline to 8 weeks, a change significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the meditation, massage, and control groups. The combination of meditation and massage has a significantly favorable influence on overall and spiritual QOL in late-stage disease relative to standard care, or either intervention component alone.