A Cochrane review included 2 studies with a total of 110 subjects. One study found a greater decrease in agitated behaviour (modified CMAI = Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory scale; decrease of about 15 scale units or 75%) in the group receiving hand massage than in the group receiving no treatment. Another study found a significant increase in mean intake of calories (from 570 to 740 cal/day) as well as protein (from 32 to 43 g/day) in the group receiving verbal encouragement with touch, but no change in the control group receiving verbal encouragement only.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison), by limitations in study quality (e.g., impossibility of blinding, focus on other aspects on care than the patient) and by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).