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PubMedDate not supplied

The psychological effects of aromatherapy-massage in healthy postpartum mothers.

This study examined the effect of aromatherapy-massage in healthy postpartum mothers. A quasi-experimental between-groups design was used. Mothers who received aromatherapy-massage were compared with a control group who received standard postpartum care. Thirty-six healthy, first-time mothers with vaginal delivery of a full-term, healthy infant participated in this study. Sixteen mothers received a 30-minute aromatherapy-massage on the second postpartum day; 20 mothers were in the control group. All mothers completed the following four standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention: 1) Maternity Blues Scale; 2) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; 3) Profile of Mood States (POMS); and 4) Feeling toward Baby Scale. In the aromatherapy-massage group, posttreatment scores significantly decreased for the Maternity Blues Scale, the State-Anxiety Inventory, and all but one of the Profile of Mood States subscales. Posttreatment scores in the intervention group significantly increased in Profile of Mood States-Vigor subscale and the Approach Feeling toward Baby subscale. Scores in the intervention group significantly decreased in Conflict Index of Avoidance/Approach Feeling toward Baby subscale. Our results suggest that aromatherapy-massage might be an effective intervention for postpartum mothers to improve physical and mental status and to facilitate mother-infant interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center.

Massage is increasingly applied to relieve symptoms in patients with cancer. This practice is supported by evidence from small randomized trials. No study has examined massage therapy outcome in a large group of patients. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, patients report symptom severity pre- and post-massage therapy using 0-10 rating scales of pain, fatigue, stress/anxiety, nausea, depression and "other." Changes in symptom scores and the modifying effects of patient status (in- or outpatient) and type of massage were analyzed. Over a three-year period, 1,290 patients were treated. Symptom scores were reduced by approximately 50%, even for patients reporting high baseline scores. Outpatients improved about 10% more than inpatients. Benefits persisted, with outpatients experiencing no return toward baseline scores throughout the duration of 48-hour follow-up. These data indicate that massage therapy is associated with substantive improvement in cancer patients' symptom scores.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2004

Foot and hand massage as an intervention for postoperative pain.

Physiological responses to pain create harmful effects that prolong the body's recovery after surgery. Patients routinely report mild to moderate pain even though pain medications have been administered. Complementary strategies based on sound research findings are needed to supplement postoperative pain relief using pharmacologic management. Foot and hand massage has the potential to assist in pain relief. Massaging the feet and hands stimulates the mechanoreceptors that activate the "nonpainful" nerve fibers, preventing pain transmission from reaching consciousness. The purpose of this pretest-posttest design study was to investigate whether a 20-minute foot and hand massage (5 minutes to each extremity), which was provided 1 to 4 hours after a dose of pain medication, would reduce pain perception and sympathetic responses among postoperative patients. A convenience sample of 18 patients rated pain intensity and pain distress using a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. They reported decreases in pain intensity from 4.65 to 2.35 (t = 8.154, p <.001) and in pain distress from 4.00 to 1.88 (t = 5.683, p <.001). Statistically significant decreases in sympathetic responses to pain (i.e., heart rate and respiratory rate) were observed although blood pressure remained unchanged. The changes in heart rate and respiratory rate were not clinically significant. The patients experienced moderate pain after they received pain medications. This pain was reduced by the intervention, thus supporting the effectiveness of massage in postoperative pain management. Foot and hand massage appears to be an effective, inexpensive, low-risk, flexible, and easily applied strategy for postoperative pain management.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Physiotherapy and the shadow of prostitution: the Society of Trained Masseuses and the massage scandals of 1894.

In 1894 the Society of Trained Masseuses (STM) formed in response to massage scandals published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The Society's founders acted to legitimise massage, which had become sullied by its association with prostitution. This study analyses the discourses that influenced the founders of the Society and reflects upon the social and political conditions that enabled the STM to emerge and prosper. The founders established a clear practice model for massage which effectively regulated the sensual elements of contact between therapist and patient. Massage practices were regulated through clearly defined curricula, examinations and the surveillance of the Society's members. A biomechanical model of physical rehabilitation was adopted to enable masseuses to view the body as a machine rather than as a sensual being. Medical patronage of the Society was courted enabling the Society to prosper amongst competing organisations. Using Foucault's work on power we explore the contingent nature of these events, seeing the massage scandals in context with broader questions of sexual morality, professionalisation and expertise in the late nineteenth century society. We argue that many of the technologies developed by the founders resonate with physiotherapy practice today and enable us to critically analyse the continued relevance of the profession to contemporary healthcare.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed2005

Effect of prostatic massage on serum complexed prostate-specific antigen levels.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of prostatic massage on the serum complexed PSA (cPSA) concentration in various prostatic diseases. METHODS: A total of 51 men who presented to our outpatient clinic for the first time with symptoms of lower urinary outflow obstruction were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from each patient before and 30 minutes after prostatic massage. Total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), and cPSA levels were measured using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: After prostatic massage, the tPSA and fPSA levels and fPSA/tPSA ratio increased significantly (P < 0.0001), and the increase in cPSA was minimal but statistically significant (P = 0.047). In patients with prostate cancer, no significant increase occurred in the mean forms of PSA (tPSA, cPSA, and fPSA/tPSA ratio), except for fPSA, after prostatic massage. We observed a greater increase in all PSA forms in the chronic prostatitis group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, prostatic massage increased serum cPSA concentration, but to a lesser extent than tPSA and fPSA.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of prostatic massage in treatment of chronic prostatitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of regular prostatic massage in combination with culture-specific antibiotic therapy for men with chronic prostatitis. METHODS: This study included 81 consecutive patients who attended our outpatient clinic with a history or symptoms suggestive of chronic prostatitis (National Institutes of Health category II and IIIA). In addition to prostatic culture and sensitivity, all patients were asked to complete the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. According to their chronic prostatitis category, all patients were divided into four groups: group 1, chronic bacterial prostatitis treated with antibiotics and prostatic massage, n = 17; group 2, chronic bacterial prostatitis treated with antibiotics alone, n = 20; group 3, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis treated with antibiotics and prostatic massage, n = 25; and group 4, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis treated with antibiotics alone, n = 19. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients with initially positive cultures, 30 (81.1%) had sterile final cultures. Overall, 30 patients (37%) of 81 had complete resolution of symptoms, 18 (22.2%) had initial resolution but had recurrence after therapy, 22 (27.1%) had partial improvement, and 11 (13.5%) had no improvement. No significant difference was found in the response between patients treated with antibiotics alone and those treated with antibiotics and prostatic massage in all four groups. Only 29% of class IIIa patients had complete improvement in contrast to 52% complete improvement in the class II patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic massage did not significantly improve the response of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome to antibiotics. Patients with National Institutes of Health class II prostatitis should be primarily treated with culture-sensitive antibiotics. Treatment of nonbacterial prostatitis is challenging and requires additional extensive research.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Sensory stimulation (massage) reduces blood pressure in unanaesthetized rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate how sensory stimulation by massage-like stroking influences blood pressure and heart rate in conscious rats. Also, the influence of different locations and durations of the stimulation were assessed. For this purpose, the ventral side of the abdomen or the dorsal side of the back was manually stroked at a speed of approximately 20 cm/s, with a frequency of 0.67 Hz and at an estimated pressure of 100 mm H2O. During the treatment, the rats were held across the scapula and the neck region. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured with the cuff technique before treatment and repeatedly during the post-stimulatory period. Massage-like stroking for 5 min of the abdominal area produced a maximum decrease of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min in heart rate. This reduction remained significant at 3 and 4 h after stimulation, respectively. Stimulation of the abdominal area for 2 min produced a less pronounced decrease in blood pressure as compared to the 5-min stroking. Stroking of the back resulted in a short-lasting blood pressure increase that gradually returned to the baseline level within the post-stimulatory observation time. Control animals that were handled in the same way as the experimental animals except for the stroking showed an increase of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min for about 1 h after the cessation of the handling. The responses of the blood pressure and heart rate to both abdominal and back massage were significantly inhibited as compared to the control animals. These results suggest that massage-like stroking of the skin produces an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular excitatory responses in rats. Especially, the results of the present study demonstrate that massage-like stroking of the abdomen reduces both blood pressure and heart rate below the pre-stimulus baseline levels.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1998

Massage-induced release of subcutaneously injected liposome-encapsulated drugs to the blood.

Liposome-based, externally regulated drug delivery system is described in which liposome-encapsulated bioactive molecules can be delivered into the blood in response to simple mechanical action. Without any mechanical stimulation, subcutaneously injected 200 mm liposomes are usually trapped in the interstitial for prolonged time. However, upon lymphotropic stimulation (such as manual massage of the injection site), the liposomes can be mobilized into the blood via lymphatic pathway. Up to 40% of the injection dose can be delivered to the blood via lymphatic pathway from the injection site at the rabbit's front paw dorsum during 5 min manual massage cycle. Using vasoconstricting hormone angiotensin II as liposome-encapsulated pharmacological marker, we demonstrated that physiological response to encapsulated drug (average blood pressure increase) can also induced and modulated by massage. Massage itself was found to have no effect on the blood pressure. Modification of liposome surface with polyethylene glycol was found to increase blood localization of the liposome-encapsulated drug presumably due to decreasing the uptake of the drug carrier by lymph node macrophages. Pressure-dependent gaps between lymphatic capillary endothelial cells are thought to play the role of the size discrimination device allowing larger particulates into the lymphatics and, eventually into the blood after increase of interstitial pressure caused by injection site massage.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1998

Treatment of myofascial trigger-points with ultrasound combined with massage and exercise--a randomised controlled trial.

The effect of treatment with ultrasound, massage and exercises on myofascial trigger-points (MTrP) in the neck and shoulder was assessed in a randomised controlled trial. The outcome measures were pain at rest and on daily function (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), analgesic usage, global preference and index of MTrP. Long-term effect for treatment and control groups was assessed after 6 months using a questionnaire. The patients were randomised to three groups. The first group was treated with ultrasound, massage and exercise (A), the second group with sham-ultrasound, massage and exercise (B), while the third group was a control group (C). The duration of the study was 6 weeks. Treatment was given twice a week from the second to the fifth week. The number and index of MTrPs were recorded at each treatment session in groups A and B but only at entry as well as end of study in group C. VAS and analgesic usage was recorded in all three groups throughout the study period. Six months after the last treatment session a questionnaire was send to the patients. A total of 67 patients were included. Nine patients dropped-out during the study, which left 58 patients that could be included in the final analysis. Twenty patients were randomised to group A, 18 to group B and 18 to group C. A significant reduction in index were found between treatment groups (A and B) and control group (C), but no difference between group A and B. VAS scores, analgesic usage or global preference showed no difference between group A, B or C. The patients in the group C were offered treatment (ultrasound, massage, exercise) after the 6 weeks treatment period. At the questionnaire after 6 month 44 (87%) of the 52 patients from all three groups who had treatment responded. Sixty-four percent answered that they had had good or some effects, 68 percent were still doing the exercise programme and 17 percent had received other forms of therapy after they had completed the study. No difference between groups given ultrasound or sham ultrasound were found. It is concluded that US give no pain reduction, but apparently massage and exercise reduces the number and intensity of MTrP. The impact of this reduction on neck and shoulder pain is weak.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Massage therapy for low back pain: a systematic review.

Massage therapy is frequently employed for low back pain (LBP). The aim of this systematic review was to find the evidence for or against its efficacy in this indication. Four randomized clinical trials were located in which massage was tested as a monotherapy for LBP. All were burdened with major methodological flaws. One of these studies suggests that massage is superior to no treatment. Two trials imply that it is equally effective as spinal manipulation or transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES). One study suggests that it is less effective than spinal manipulation. It is concluded that too few trials of massage therapy exist for a reliable evaluation of its efficacy. Massage seems to have some potential as a therapy for LBP. More investigations of this subject are urgently needed.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

The effects of therapeutic massage on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle function following downhill walking.

This study Investigated the effects of a therapeutic massage on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle function following downhill walking. Eight male subjects performed a 40-min downhill treadmill walk loaded with 10% of their body mass. A qualified masseur performed a 30-min therapeutic massage to one limb 2 hours post-walk. Muscle soreness, tenderness, isometric strength, isokinetic strength, and single leg vertical jump height were measured on two occasions before, and 1, 24, 72 and 120 hours post-walk for both limbs. Subjects showed significant (p < 0.004) increases in soreness and tenderness for the non-massaged limb 24 hours post-walk with a significant (p < 0.001) difference between the two limbs. A significant reduction In isometric strength was recorded for both limbs compared to baseline 1 hour post-walk. Isokinetic strength at 60 degrees/sec and vertical jump height were significantly lower for the massaged limb at 1 and 24 hours post-walk. No significant differences were evident in the remaining testing variables. These results suggest that therapeutic massage may attenuate soreness and tenderness associated with delayed onset muscle soreness. However it may not be beneficial in the treatment of strength and functional declines.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Unnecessary interruptions of cardiac massage during simulated cardiac arrests.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should not be interrupted until the return of spontaneous circulation or the decision to withhold further treatment. There are no data on how consistent in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify length and type of unnecessary interruptions in simulated cardiac arrests. METHODS: The study was carried out in a patient simulator. A scenario of cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation was used. Resuscitation teams consisted of three nurses, a resident and a staff physician. Using videotapes recorded during simulations, the activities of the teams were coded in 5-s intervals. Unnecessary interruptions were defined as any interruptions in cardiac massage of 10 s or more that were not caused by defibrillation or endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Twelve teams were studied. The total time of possible cardiac massage was 414 +/- 125 s. In each team at least one unnecessary interruption occurred (range 1-5). Interruptions mounted up to 65 +/- 40 s (range 20-155) or 16 +/- 10% (range 5-41) of the total time of possible cardiac massage. Failure to swiftly resume cardiac massage after an unsuccessful defibrillation accounted for 14 of 39 episodes and for 44 +/- 40% of the time of unnecessary interruptions. The debriefings revealed that participants had generally not noticed the unnecessary interruptions during the simulation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified a significant amount of unnecessary interruptions in cardiac massage. These interruptions were not noticed by the health-care workers involved.

Heart Arrest↗
PubMed2001

Brief report: improvements in the behavior of children with autism following massage therapy.

Twenty children with autism, ages 3 to 6 years, were randomly assigned to massage therapy and reading attention control groups. Parents in the massage therapy group were trained by a massage therapist to massage their children for 15 minutes prior to bedtime every night for 1 month and the parents of the attention control group read Dr. Seuss stories to their children on the same time schedule. Conners Teacher and Parent scales, classroom and playground observations, and sleep diaries were used to assess the effects of therapy on various behaviors, including hyperactivity, stereotypical and off-task behavior, and sleep problems. Results suggested that the children in the massage group exhibited less stereotypic behavior and showed more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations at school, and they experienced fewer sleep problems at home.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Atopic dermatitis symptoms decreased in children following massage therapy.

Young children with atopic dermatitis were treated with standard topical care and massaged by their parents for 20 minutes daily for a 1 month period. A control group received standard topical care only. The children's affect and activity level significantly improved, and their parent's anxiety decreased immediately after the massage therapy sessions. Over the 1 month period, parents of massaged children reported lower anxiety levels in their children, and the children improved significantly on all clinical measures including redness, scaling, lichenification, excoriation, and pruritus. The control group only improved significantly on the scaling measure. These data suggest that massage therapy may be a cost-effective adjunct treatment for atopic dermatitis, since there is a one-time expense of $30 for the child to receive the massage and the parent to learn the technique.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2002

Introducing abdominal massage in palliative care for the relief of constipation.

Constipation and its associated problems affect approximately 50% of patients admitted to hospices in the United Kingdom. It is common practice in many hospices to offer a range of complementary therapies of which aromatherapy massage is one. Abdominal massage for the relief of constipation was once a commonly practised therapy but its use declined over time, like other complementary therapies there is now a rekindling of interest in the role that abdominal massage may play in relieving constipation. This paper will explain how a safe non-invasive easily learnt technique of abdominal massage was introduced in a palliative care setting to help relieve some of the problems associated with constipation. Despite the number of patients involved in this project being small, relief from some of the symptoms associated with constipation was experienced by some patients. A formal study of the benefits of abdominal massage in palliative care far the relief of constipation is needed.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2004

[Effects of slow-stroke massage as complementary treatment of depressed hospitalized patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Among methods of complementary treatment of depression, massage plays an important role, at least in the U.S.A. Although there are some pointers to the antidepressive and anxiolytic action of slow-stroke massage in various randoms studies of patient cohorts, there have been no controlled trials of depressed hospitalized patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 32 depressed patients (24 women, 8 men; average 48 years - coveringthe entire spectrum of affective disorders listed in the ICD but without comorbidity in axis 2) with a minimum BRMS score of 16,7 - were included in the study. The randomized cross-over trial involved three massage sessions at set times (M) and sessions in two control groups (C) (relaxation and perception) lasting for 60 min 2-3 days apart. Under the control conditions there was no touching. The effects of depression-specific variables (e.g. mood, drive, abnormal cognition, as well as typical progress variables of the slow-stroke massage (bodily awareness, general state of health, etc.) were measured by both the patients' own assessment and that of an independent observer. RESULTS: Under condition of both M and C, comparison of before and after effects, there was not only the primarily postulated mood-enhancing effect, but also some very marked changes in almost all dimension, the mean improvement ratio under M often being stronger than under C. After Bonferroni correction for multiple tests, the statistical significance there remained the stronger effect of M in four dimensions (global tenseness, restlessness, depressed mood, neck/shoulder tension). The intensive effect of M compared with C was confirmed by both female and male patients regarding the answers to various open questions. CONCLUSIONS: Slow-stroke massage is suitable for adjuvant acute treatment of patients with depression. It is very readily accepted also by very ill patients. In relation to the skin as an organ that aids identity, non-hedonic depressed patients are able to recognize the sensory quality of therapeutic touching as a positive stimulus. In view of the latent period of many weeks and the only moderate efficacy of antidepressants, the described complementary method, which does not require physiotherapeutic training, should be more often applied in both a hospital and general practice setting.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2005

Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer received massage therapy or practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for 30-min sessions 3 times a week for 5 weeks or received standard treatment. The massage therapy and relaxation groups reported less depressed mood, anxiety, and pain immediately after their first and last sessions. By the end of the study, however, only the massage therapy group reported being less depressed and less angry and having more vigor. Dopamine levels, Natural Killer cells, and lymphocytes also increased from the first to the last day of the study for the massage therapy group. These findings highlight the benefit of these complementary therapies, most particularly massage therapy, for women with breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Effect of massage on serum level of beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin in healthy adults.

We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of massage on the levels of endogenous opiates in peripheral venous blood. The results were based on findings from 21 healthy, adult volunteers. After separation by sex, the volunteers were assigned randomly to either the Control Group (n = 11) that rested but received no massage or the Experimental Group (n = 10) that received a 30-minute complete back massage. We found no significant pretreatment or posttreatment difference in blood beta-endorphin or beta-lipotropin levels between the groups. The results indicate that massage did not change significantly the measured serum levels of beta-endorphin or beta-lipotropin in our healthy subjects without pain. A follow-up study using patients experiencing acute or chronic back pain is recommended. Massage is used routinely in the treatment of such patients, and endogenous opiates are recognized as a possible mechanism for pain relief.

Adult↗