A Pilot Study of Acupuncture and Massage as Medical Adjuvant Therapy to Improve the Quality of Life of Frail Elderly

Abstract

This pilot study examined the influence of acupuncture/ moxibustion and/or massage therapy programs on the QOL of frail elderly patients with chronic diseases. These therapies are considered to be important features of complementary alternative medicine (CAM.) Despite the increasing popularity of CAM therapy use by patients with chronic diseases or pre-symptomatic disease (Mibyo), very few studies concerning the benefits of CAM therapy a have so far been conducted, especially in Japan. We believe that the present study, despite certain limitations such as its restricted size, is valuable in planning additional trials to assess the benefits of CAM therapy for elderly patients. Our study suggested that acupuncture, moxibustion and massage have a positive effect on the physical and mental health of the frail elderly.