Massage Therapy in Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Gastrointestinal or Breast Malignancies

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES; I. To compare completion rates of two massage treatment protocols (twice-weekly for 6 weeks versus three times weekly for 4 weeks) for patients with chronic, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the initial efficacy and effect size estimates of twice versus three times weekly site specific (lower extremity) massage versus alternate massage site (head/neck/shoulder) control groups at treating chronic, lower extremity chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. II. To determine the initial efficacy and effect size estimates of massage on patient quality of life and functional performance tests. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 4 groups. GROUP I: Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the affected legs at the foot and toes, ending at the knee, thrice weekly for 4 weeks. GROUP II: Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the affected legs at the foot and toes, ending at the knee, twice weekly for 6 weeks. GROUP III: Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the head, neck, and shoulder thrice weekly for 4 weeks. GROUP IV: Patients undergo massage therapy over 30 minutes to the head, neck, and shoulder twice weekly for 6 weeks. After completion of study, patients are followed periodically.