Light strokes, big relief? touch therapy eases cancer fatigue
NCT ID NCT07524179
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle, light-touch therapy (therapeutic touch) could help advanced cancer patients in palliative care sleep better and feel less tired. Sixty-one patients were randomly assigned to receive either 5 days of 10-15 minute touch sessions or standard care. Researchers measured sleep quality and fatigue before and after treatment. The goal is to see if this simple, non-drug approach can improve comfort for people with serious illness.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
therapeutic touch (gentle, light stroking of head, shoulders, hands, and feet)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help advanced cancer patients sleep better and feel less tired.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early study with only 61 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The effect may be due to extra attention rather than the touch itself.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Erzurum City Hospital Palliative Care Service
Erzurum, Merkez, 02040, Turkey (Türkiye)