Preoperative Massage in Breast Surgery Patients

Utility of Preoperative Massage in Breast Surgery Patients

This randomized controlled interventional study is designed to determine whether breast cancer surgical patients receiving presurgical massage therapy performed by a licensed massage therapist have decreased average anxiety levels compared to the control group of breast cancer surgical patients who do not receive massage therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female
• Must speak English
• Able to give consent
• 18 years of age or older
• Undergoing first procedure outpatient breast/axillary surgery at Vassar Brothers Medical Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• Anxiolytics or antidepressants medications during the previous 24 hours
• Any condition that would prohibit receiving a massage
• IV medications prior to presurgical holding VAS assessment