Since weeks I have been searching for new (2013) studies which actually report POSITIVE results. I like good news as much as the next man but, in my line of business, it seems awfully hard to come by. Therefore I am all the more delighted to present these two new articles to my readers.
The first study is a randomized trial with patients suffering from metastatic cancer who received one of three interventions: massage therapy, no-touch intervention or usual care. Primary outcomes were pain, anxiety, and alertness; secondary outcomes were quality of life and sleep. The mean number of massage therapy sessions per patient was 2.8.
The results show significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients who received massage therapy after 1-week follow-up which was not observed in either of the other groups. Unfortunately, the difference was not sustained at 1 month. There were also trends towards improvement in pain and sleep of the patients after massage. No serious adverse events were noted.
The authors conclude that “providing therapeutic massage improves the quality of life at the end of life for patients and may be associated with further beneficial effects, such as improvement in pain and sleep quality. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to substantiate these findings“.
The second study examined the effectiveness of a back massage for improving sleep quality in 60 postpartum women suffering from poor sleep. They were randomized to either the intervention or the control group. Participants in both groups received the same care except for the back massages. The intervention group received one 20-minutes back massage at the same time each evening for 5 consecutive days by a certified massage therapist. The outcome measure was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The results showed that the changes in mean PSQI were significantly lower in the intervention group than in controls indicating a positive effect of massage on sleep quality.
The authors’ conclusions were clear: “an intervention involving back massage in the postnatal period significantly improved the quality of sleep.”
Where I was trained (Germany), massage is not deemed to be an alternative but an entirely mainstream treatment. Despite this fact, there is precious little evidence to demonstrate that it is effective. Our own research has found encouraging evidence for a range of conditions, including autism, cancer palliation, constipation, DOMS and back pain. In addition, we have shown that massage is not entirely free of risks but that its potential for harm is very low (some might say that this was never in question but it is good to have a bit more solid evidence).
The new studies are, of course, not without flaws; this can hardly be expected in an area where logistical, financial and methodological problems abound. The fact that there are many different approaches to massage does not make things easier either. The new evidence is nevertheless encouraging and seems to suggest that massage has relaxing effects which are clinically relevant. In my view, massage is a therapy worth considering for more rigorous research.
OK, preliminary trials show promise. The next step is to improve the methodology of either trial with more numbers and better measurement of primary outcomes.
Unfortunately, I expect that chiropractors will quote these as positive proof for their own scam and that any repeats will be on low numbers for yet another primary outcome/condition. But I’d be happy to be wrong on my prognostications.
Ha! You serious?
Massage is self-care, not medical care. If somebody wants a massage, go ahead. But do not label it as ‘therapy’ and do not send the bill to health insurance. A lot of people feel better after a visit to the hairdresser. But we cannot call this hair-therapy and cannot send the bill to health insurance either.
There are a lot of things that make people ‘feel better’ and improve quality of life. This should not be medicalized. It is self-care and belongs to the private choices of people.
Catherine de Jong said:
I wouldn’t be too hasty: Laser Hair Therapy
Laser Hair Therapy is not medical care but very effective in emptying the wallet of men who are affraid to loose their hair.
i agree 100%. its like the studies involving prayer and positive thinking. whatever affects the nervous system in a positive way as far as improving the person’s outlook on life or their particular issue can be useful. I have had patients get more benefit from watching a funny uplifting movie that the therapy I gave that day.
the sample in these “studies” are not statistically significant. In future please list the name of the study and author so that readers can draw there own conclusions
the 1st statement is nonsense, and the 2nd is wrong: click on the link and you’ll see.