"I Didn't Know Massages Could Do That:" A qualitative analysis of the perception of hospitalized patients receiving massage therapy from specially trained massage therapists.

•This paper examined the perception and experience of hospitalized palliative care eligible patients receiving massage therapy.•Themes identified included peace and relaxation, unique issues related to hospitalization and chronic illness and perceptions of massage experience.•Inpatient massage therapy for patients that are palliative care eligible provide patients with a sense of peace companionship rest, coping and connected touch.