Evidence Explorer / Evidence record
MIND–BODY & INTEGRATIVE CARE
Massage for palliative cancer pain
Conditional guideline option
Massage may be offered for pain in the palliative or hospice setting.
MS-N008 · Sources checked October 11, 2026 · Pain and comfort
What was studied?
People and setting: Adults receiving palliative or hospice care
Evidence basis: SIO–ASCO integrative pain guideline
What can we conclude?
It complements medical pain care; a comfort benefit is not evidence of cancer treatment.
Safety and practical context
Use an oncology-adapted approach with the care team.
Questions for the care team
- Does this evidence apply to my cancer, treatment and goal?
- Does the exact preparation or delivery method match the study?
- What benefit is plausible, what could go wrong, and what care must continue?
Sources
Connected reviews
Learn how to judge a study · Return to the evidence map
This is a concise evidence brief, not an exhaustive systematic review or a personal treatment recommendation. Evidence labels describe the named use; they are not formal GRADE ratings. A missing harm report does not establish safety.
