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The introduction of a holistic massage service in a combined paediatric and adult BMT unit

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 41, pages 407–408 (2008)Cite this article

This letter describes the use of holistic massage on a 14 bed combined adult and paediatric BMT Unit. Undergoing a transplant is physically and psychologically demanding1 and can frequently leave patients feeling hopeless and depressed.2 The major focus of transplant physicians has been on the medical and not the psychological care of the patient. Transplant patients are nursed in protective isolation cubicles for several weeks and (as a general infection control measure) are allowed limited visitors. Patients may experience a degree of sensory deprivation and can feel deprived of touch.

Many people with cancer seek complementary therapies (CT) as additional supportive interventions in an effort to improve their chance of survival, increase hope and reduce the side effects of the conventional treatment, while at the same time, giving themselves autonomy and more personal control.3 Patients sometimes experience difficulties discussing the use of complementary therapies with their physician partly because the evidence to verify the effectiveness of CT is variable.5 Accessing some form of CT may enable those with cancer to cope more effectively with the impact of both their disease and its treatment, and there is a role for CTs in reducing unpleasant physical symptoms, as well as providing psychological benefits, including increasing morale and hope.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Adult BMT Unit, Oncology Day Beds, Bristol Children's Hospital, Bristol, UK

    E Davies, S Campbell, A Fullwood, J Hulbert & D I Marks

Authors
  1. E Davies
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  2. S Campbell
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  3. A Fullwood
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  4. J Hulbert
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  5. D I Marks
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Correspondence to D I Marks.

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Davies, E., Campbell, S., Fullwood, A. et al. The introduction of a holistic massage service in a combined paediatric and adult BMT unit. Bone Marrow Transplant 41, 407–408 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705924

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