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 Yale Prevention Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut.Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.

Peter A. Selwyn Leeway Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.

Lauren Liberti Yale Prevention Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut.

Susan Molde Leeway Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.

Valentine Yanchou Njike Yale Prevention Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut.

Ruth McCorkle Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.

Daniel Zelterman Yale University School of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, New Haven, Connecticut.

David L. Katz Yale Prevention Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut.Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Journal of Palliative Medicine

Vol. 8: Issue. 5: Pages. 939-952
(Issue publication date: October 2005)

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2005.8.939

Context: 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.

etting: An AIDS-dedicated skilled nursing facility in New Haven, Connecticut.

Participants: Fifty-eight residents (43% women) with late stage disease (AIDS or comorbidity).

Interventions: 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.

Outcome measure: Changes on Missoula-Vitas QOL Index overall and transcendent (spiritual) scores at 8 weeks.

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.