Record MS-N192 · Supportive care · Last literature search and appraisal: 31 October 2026
Evidence at a glance
- Evidence label: Mostly negative randomized evidence
- Potential benefit: Plain abdominal massage did not improve nausea versus control; adding concentrated Salvia officinalis oil produced only an immediate nausea difference that was gone by one week.
- Risk: Abdominal massage and concentrated topical sage can be inappropriate with abdominal tumors, recent surgery, obstruction, wounds, bleeding risk or allergy.
- What this evidence is about: Short-term symptom support during chemotherapy; no cancer-control endpoint was studied.
What was studied
Sixty adults receiving chemotherapy were randomized to usual care, abdominal massage, or the same massage using 2 mL of 100% Salvia officinalis aromatic substance. Caregivers delivered 15 minutes twice daily for three days. Nausea improved over time in every group. Plain massage did not differ from control. The sage-plus-massage group had lower nausea immediately after treatment, but group-by-time interaction was not significant and no between-group difference remained at one week. Vomiting frequency did not differ significantly (immediate P=0.06).
What the evidence cannot establish
Single center, 20 participants per arm, no blinding, multiple cancer types/regimens, caregiver delivery and natural symptom resolution make attribution difficult. The isolated immediate finding cannot separate sage from massage or expectancy. Full text was reviewed; trial registration IRCT20141109019862N7. Funding and conflicts were not verified in the reviewed report.
Symptom improvement is not evidence of tumor shrinkage, delayed recurrence or longer survival. This record does not support replacing oncology treatment.
Practical safety context
The trial excluded coagulation disorders, acute abdominal conditions, local abdominal tumor/open wound, significant gastrointestinal disease, respiratory sensitivity and herbal allergy. That exclusion list is a useful warning, not a self-screening checklist. Concentrated essential oils may irritate skin or provoke allergy and should not be swallowed.
Questions for the care team
- Could my symptoms indicate dehydration, obstruction or another urgent cause?
- Does my regimen already have an optimized antiemetic plan?
- Is any abdominal manipulation or topical sage safe for my diagnosis, surgery and medicines?
Sources checked
Source note: Publication dates refer to the indexed paper; links were checked on 31 October 2026. A registry entry verifies design or status, not efficacy. Unreported fields are not assumed to be absent.
Education only: This evidence summary is not personal medical advice. Decisions about symptoms, treatment interactions and complementary care belong with your oncology team.
