ABSTRACT
<b>Purpose</b>: This study investigates the situation surrounding the use of massage to relieve cancer pain by nurses in hospices and palliative care wards all over Japan and factors affecting this usage. <b>Methods</b>: We conducted a survey of 989 nurses with two or more years of clinical experience employed at approved palliative care wards around Japan, using a questionnaire prepared by researchers. <b>Results</b>: The questionnaire was answered by 606 nurses, and 95.7% of the subjects used massage in their routine nursing care. They recognized the benefits, such as comfort, reducing anxiety and so on. From a multivariate logistic model, 'a great number of years of clinical experience in cancer nursing' (OR: 2.51, 95%CI: 1.20-4.80) and 'the superior assessment ability for the use of massage' (OR: 1.18, 95%CI: 1.09-1.27) had a significant impact on the active use of massage. <b>Conclusion</b>: In order to use massage more effectively it is necessary to develop knowledge acquired through clinical experience and improve nurse's assessment ability. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(1): 101-113