Research

Research Studies and evidence-based literature 

The following abstracts and references are intended to give members a brief outline of the current developments and findings in Massage and the world of Complementary Medicine. The list does not include all the literature available on the subject of massage but does give a flavour of what is happening in the research world. It is intended to help members consider how research and evidence may influence practice.  

Pauline Stuttard  (Research and CPD Committee Member) 

Eisensmith L.P ( 2007) Massage therapy decreases frequency and intensity of symptoms relating to temporomandibular joint syndrome in one case study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 11, 223-230

The study investigated the ability of massage therapy to mitigate the frequency and intensity of headaches, jaw clicking and masticatory pain associated with temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) The study was done with one client, a 22 year old officer in the armed forces. Massage techniques combined with strain and counterstrain techniques were administered for 30 minutes twice a week over a  3 week period. Results showed that intensity and frequency of pain in the jaw decreased and jaw opening increased by a third.

Kalamir et al (2007) Manual therapy for temporo-mandibular disorder: a review of the literature Journal of Bodywork and Movement therapies 11, 84-90

This review of published materials and studies regarding treatments of TMJ dysfunction includes massage, electrotherapy and manipulative therapy. The review comments that all 3 therapies are viable and cost effective in the treatment of TMJ compared to other forms of treatment. It is likely that these forms of treatment will become more popular in the future due to their cost-effective nature.

Latifes V et al ( 2005) Fathers massaging and relaxing their pregnant wives lowered anxiety and facilitated marital adjustment.  Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 9, 277-282

This study involved 175 expectant fathers who were assigned to one of three groups

1. Massage therapy, 2. Relaxation therapy, 3. Control group

The massage techniques were taught to the fathers by a licensed therapist and given to the pregnant women twice weekly during the course of the pregnancy. The relaxation group learned some relaxation techniques with their wives and the control group had no intervention. The massage group was found to have lowered the fathers’ self reported anxiety levels and improved marital adjustment and satisfaction, helping to improve the lives of the couples involved.

Field et al (2008) Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationship. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 12, 146-150

This was a study using 47 prenatally depressed women who received twice weekly massages from their partners for 20 weeks up to time of delivery.  A control group was used in the study and the women were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. Self reported leg and back pain, depression, anxiety and anger decreased in the experimental group. Data showed that not only the women had improved mood, but their partners reported improvement in mood and were less anxious as well. Overall relationships seemed to improve between the women and their partners.

Field et al (2007) Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy.  Journal of Body and Movement Therapies, 11, 156 - 160.

The study involved 30 adults with low back pain endured for at least 6 weeks. Massage treatments were given for 30 minutes twice a week for 5 weeks to the experimental group.  On the first and last days of treatment the participants were assessed for range of movement in the lower back and asked to complete a questionnaire about their experiences of pain, anxiety and sleep patterns.  By the end of the study the massage treatment group showed improvement in range of movement tin the lower back, and felt less pain and anxiety and were able to sleep better.

Billhult A. Maatta S. ( 2009) Light pressure massage for patients with severe anxiety. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 15, 96-101

The study describes the experience of receiving massage for patients with generalised anxiety disorder. Findings showed that the patients were able to find their own capacity during the massage period. Their experiences were about being relaxed in mind and body and having unconditional attention, feeling less anxious and more self-confident. There are clinical implications for the use of massage when immediate pain and anxiety relief is required. Available interventions for anxiety are often pharmacological or psychotherapeutic and often have delayed results. Massage can be used to complement treatments when immediate relief is desirable.

Research Studies and evidence-based literature

The following abstracts and references are intended to give members a brief outline of the current developments and findings in Massage and the world of Complementary Medicine. The list does not include all the literature available on the subject of massage but does give a flavour of what is happening in the research world. It is intended to help members consider how research and evidence may influence practice.

  Pauline Stuttard  Research and CPD Committee Member

Latifses V et al ( 2005) Fathers massaging and relaxing their pregnant wives lowered anxiety and facilitated marital adjustment.

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 9, 277-282

This study involved 175 expectant fathers who were assigned to one of three groups

1. Massage therapy 2. Relaxation therapy 3. Control group

 The massage techniques were taught to the fathers by a licensed therapist and given to the pregnant women twice weekly during the course of the pregnancy. The relaxation group learned some relaxation techniques with their wives and the control group had no intervention. The massage group was found to have lowered the fathers’  self reported anxiety levels and improved marital adjustment and satisfaction, helping to improve the lives of the couples involved.

Field et al (2008) Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationship

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 12, 146-150

This was a study using 47 prenatally depressed women who received twice weekly massages from their partners for 20 weeks up to time of delivery.  A control group was used in the study and the women were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. Self reported leg and back pain, depression, anxiety and anger decreased in the experimental group. Data showed that not only the women had improved mood, but their partners reported improvement in mood and were less anxious as well. Overall relationships seemed to improve between the women and their partners.

Eisensmith L.P ( 2007) Massage therapy decreases frequency and intensity of symptoms relating to temporomandibular joint syndrome in one case study.

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 11, 223-230

The study investigated the ability of massage therapy to mitigate the frequency and intensity of headaches, jaw clicking and masticatory pain associated with temporo-mandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) The study was done with one client, a 22 year old officer in the armed forces. Massage techniques combined with strain and counterstrain techniques were administered for 30 minutes twice a week over a 3 week period. Results showed that intensity and frequency of pain in the jaw decreased and jaw opening increased by a third

Kalamir et al ( 2007) Manual therapy for temporo-mandibular disorder: a review of the literature  Journal of Bodywork and Movement therapies 11, 84-90

This review of published materials and studies regarding treatments of TMJ dysfunction includes massage, electrotherapy and manipulative therapy. The review comments that all 3 therapies are viable and cost effective in the treatment of TMJ compared to other forms of treatment. It is likely that these forms of treatment will become more popular in the future due to their cost effective nature.

Billhult A. Maatta S. ( 2009) Light pressure massage for patients with severe anxiety Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 15, 96-101

The study describes the experience of receiving massage for patients with generalised anxiety disorder. Findings showed that the patients were able to find their own capacity during the massage period. Their experiences were about being relaxed in mind and body and having unconditional attention, feeling less anxious and more self confident. There are clinical implications for the use of massage when immediate pain and anxiety relief is required. Available interventions for anxiety are often pharmacological or psychotherapeutic and often have delayed results. Massage can be used to complement treatments when immediate relief is desirable.

Fraser J. Kerr J.R. ( 1993) Psychophysiological effects of back massage on elderly institutionalized patients. Journal of advanced nursing 18, 238-245

An experimental design was used to measure the effects of back massage on anxiety levels of residents in a long term institution. 21 Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups which received either back massage with normal conversation, conversation only or no intervention. The dependent variable, anxiety was measured prior to back massage and immediately and 10 minutes following treatment. The difference between the back massage group and the conversation group reached statistical significance. Results showed that back massage was an effective non invasive technique for promoting relaxation and improving communication.

Professional Issues and Culture

Stone J. (2008) Respecting professional Boundaries: What CAM practitioners need to know.   Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 14, 2-7

Professional boundaries are central to professionalism. Failure to maintain sexual and emotional boundaries can cause significant and enduring harm. Evidence from complaints shows that boundary abuses do occur. Concerns are heightened by context, regulatory and therapeutic aspects of relationships in CAM. The article argues that sexual boundaries should be a specific element of training and makes recommendations about patient safety

Moyer C. A.  Rounds J. ( 2009) the attitudes towards massage ( ATOM) scale: Reliability, validity and associated findings  Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 13,22-33

The authors discuss development of an attitude towards massage scale (ATOM), a nine item measure of overall attitude to ‘massage as helpful’ and ‘massage as pleasant’.  The scale has been developed as an easily administered measure for assessing patient attitude towards massage that can be used in research or practice settings

Massage and Back pain

Field et al ( 2007) Lower back pain and sleep disturbance are reduced following massage therapy Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy 11,  23-32

 A randomized between groups design was used to evaluate massage therapy versus relaxation therapy for chronic back pain. Treatment effects were evaluated for reducing pain, depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance. Treatment was also analysed for improving trunk range of motion and reducing job absenteeism. 30 adults suffering low back pain for 6 months participated in the study. The groups did not differ on age, socio-economic status, ethnicity or gender. The massage group received a 30 minute back massage twice a week for 5 weeks and both groups completed a questionnaire on the first and last days of treatment as well as an assessment for range of movement.  By the end of treatment the massage group reported experiencing less pain, depression and anxiety and consequently slept better. They showed an improvement in trunk flexion.

Budh C.N. Lundberg T ( 2004) Non pharmacological pain relieving therapies in individuals with spinal cord injury: a patient perspective

 Complementary Therapies in Medicine  Dec 2004 vol 4  189-197

123 patients with spinal cord injury were assessed in a spinal unit in Stockholm 1999 and followed up in a mailed survey 3 years later. 63% of the patients had tried non pharmacological treatments such as acupuncture, massage and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS).  Massage and heat were the treatments reported to result in the best pain alleviation

Ernst E. (1999) Massage therapy for low back pain: a systematic review

Journal of pain and symptom management 1999 17 (1) 65-9

Massage therapy is frequently used for low back pain. The aim of the systematic review was to find evidence for or against its efficacy. Randomised trials were located in which massage was tested as a monotherapy. All were burdened with methodological flaws. One study suggested that massage is better than no treatment and 2 suggest that it is equally effective to spinal manipulation or TENS. Too few trials exist for reliable evaluation of efficacy in massage, but it does seem to have potential as a therapy. More investigation of the subject is urgently needed

Preyde M (2000) Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Canadian Medical Association Journal Jun 27 162 (13) 1815-20

107 Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups. Comprehensive massage therapy,  soft tissue manipulation, remedial exercise or a placebo. They received 6 treatments over a month. The comprehensive massage group had improved function and less intense pain compared with the other 3 groups. At 1 month follow up 63% of the subjects in the massage group reported no pain, compared with 23% of the soft tissue group, 14% of the remedial exercise group, and 0% of the placebo group.