Massage has immediate benefits for people with advanced cancer, according to a new study.

Story: Great Massage By Yourself

A randomized trial of 380 patients at 15 hospices found that pain goes down and mood goes up immediately following a treatment. In the experiment, massage was compared to just touching.

"When patients near the end of life, the goals of medical care change from trying to cure disease to making the patient as comfortable as possible," said Dr. Jean S. Kutner of the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.

Pain and depressed mood are common in cancer patients, according to a news release about the study. While drug therapies can reduce symptoms, they don't always work and often have troublesome side effects.

Researchers think that massage may interrupt the cycle of distress. Physically, massage may decrease inflammation, increase circulation and relax muscle spasms. It also promotes relaxation, releases endorphins and creates a positive experience.

Researchers cautioned that while massage may offer some relief, the effects do not last over time.

The study appears in the Sept. 16 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.