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In 2018 Austyn Petroccitto, intern from Macquarie University, along with Kate Bowman & Alex Huntir from the Volunteer Support Services Programme studied the practices of palliative care volunteer managers in providing complementary therapies through volunteers.

The research sought to understand the types of, and rationale for the, complementary therapies being offered and the associated challenges and benefits of managing and delivering these therapies to clients within programs that involve volunteers.

The study identified 16 different complementary therapies were practiced by palliative care volunteers. The most common modalities used were hand massage with a total of 90% of respondents using this therapy as part of their service, followed by foot massage (60%), art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, hairdressing and manicure (30%), body massage, reflexology and aromatherapy (20%) and Reiki, yoga, play and acupressure (10%).

Click here for more information and to download the report Investigating the provision of complementary therapies by palliative care volunteer services.