Massage Therapy Versus Music Therapy Pilot Study

This project studies the feasibility of (1) implementing massage therapy and music therapy onto a busy medical inpatient unit at Boston Medical Center, and (2) evaluating massage therapy and music therapy\'s impact on patient satisfaction, patient outcomes, and cost. The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing massage therapy, music therapy, and usual care to collect preliminary data on critical outcomes for patients (satisfaction, symptom control) and for the hospital (pain medication use and length of stay, both critical drivers of cost). The investigators anticipate using these preliminary data to apply for a future larger and longer adequately powered randomized controlled trial to definitively answer the following research questions: does implementation of an inpatient massage therapy and/or music therapy service (a) improve patient satisfaction; (b) reduce symptoms such as pain; and (c) lower health care costs through less pain medication and reduced length of stay?