Massage therapy research review

Tiffany Field, Tiffany Field

Abstract

Moderate pressure massage has contributed to many positive effects including increased weight gain in preterm infants, reduced pain in different syndromes including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, enhanced attentiveness, reduced depression and enhanced immune function (increased natural killer cells and natural killer cell activity).Surprisingly, these recent studies have not been reviewed, highlighting the need for the current review. When moderate and light pressure massage have been compared in laboratory studies, moderate pressure massage reduced depression, anxiety and heart rate, and it altered EEG patterns, as in a relaxation response. Moderate pressure massage has also led to increased vagal activity and decreased cortisol levels. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data have suggested that moderate pressure massage was represented in several brain regions including the amygdala, the hypothalamus and the anterior cingulate cortex, all areas involved in stress and emotion regulation. Further research is needed to identify underlying neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms associated with moderate pressure massage.

Keywords: Massage therapy research review.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

References

    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Massage therapy research. Developmental Review. 2007;27:75–89.
    1. Field T, Goldstein SM, Scafidi F, Baur CR, Vega-Lahr N, Garcia R, Nystrom J, Kuhn CM. Tactile/kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics. 77:654–658.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Preterm infant massage therapy research: A review. Infant Behavior and Development. 2010;33:115–124.
    1. Diego M, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Deeds O, Ascencio A, Begert G. Preterm infant massage elicits consistent increases in vagal activity and gastric motility that are associated with greater weight gain. Acta Pediatrica. 2007;96:1588–91.
    1. Diego M, Field T, Hernandez-Rief M. Preterm infant weight gain is increased by massage therapy and exercise via different underlying mechanisms. Early Human Development. 2014
    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Dieter J, Kumar A, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1) Increase in preterm Infants following massage therapy. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2008;29:463–466.
    1. Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif Potential underlying mechanisms for greater weight gain in massaged preterm infants. Infant Behavior development. 2012;34:383–389.
    1. Diego M, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M. Temperature increases in preterm infants during massage therapy. Infant Behavior and Development. 2008;31:149–152.
    1. Lahat S, Mimouni FB, Ashbel G, Dollberg S. Energy expenditure in growing preterm infants receiving massage therapy. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2007;26:356–359.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Deeds O, Figuereido B. Moderate versus light pressure massage therapy leads to greater weight gain in preterm infants. Infant Behavior and Development. 2006;29:574–578.
    1. Mendes EW, Procianoy RS. Massage therapy reduces hospital stay and occurrence of late-onset sepsis in very preterm neonates. Journal of Perinatology. 2008;28:815–820.
    1. Procianoy RS, Mendez EW, Silveira RC. Massage therapy improves neurodevelopment outcome at two years corrected age for very low birth weight infants. Early Human Development. 2010;86:7–11.
    1. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Hart S, Theakston H, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Burman I. Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1999;20:31–38.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Deeds O, Figueiredo B. Pregnancy massage reduces prematurity, low birth weight and postpartum depression. Infant Behavior and Development. 2009;32:454–460.
    1. Field T, Deeds O, Diego M, Gualer A, Sullivan S, Wilson D, Nearing G. Benefits of combining massage therapy with group interpersonal psychotherapy in prenatally depressed women. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2009;13:297–303.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Medina L, Delgado J, Hernandez A. Yoga and massage therapy reduce prenatal depression and prematurity. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2012;16:204–209.
    1. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Feijo L, Vera Y, Gil K. Massage therapy by parents improves early growth and development. Infant behavior and development. 2004;27:435–442.
    1. Moraska A, Chandler C. Changes in psychological parameters in patients with tension- type headache following massage therapy: A pilot study. The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy. 2009;17:86–94.
    1. Givi M. Durability of effect of massage therapy on blood pressure. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2013;5:511–6.
    1. Suresh S, Wang S, Porfyris S, Kamasinski-Sol R, Steninhorn DM. Massage therapy in outpatient pediatric chronic pain patients: do they facilitate significant reductions in levels of distress, pain, tension, discomfort, and mood alterations? Paediatric Anaesthesia. 2008;18:884–887.
    1. Mitchinson AR, Kim HM, Rosenberg JM, Geisser M, Kirsh M, Cikrit D, et al. Acute postoperative pain management using massage as an adjuvant therapy: A randomize trial. Archives of Surgery. 2007;142:1158–1167.
    1. Field T, Figueiredo B, Hernandez-Reif M, Shea J. Hand arthritis pain reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2007;2:21–24.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Solien-Wolfe L. Massage plus topical analgesic is more effective than massage alone for hand arthritis pain. Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2013;10:1–4.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Cullen, Hartshorn K, Gruskin A, Hernandez-Reif M, Sunshine W. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are lessened following massage therapy. Journal Bodywork &; Movement Therapies. 2004;8:9–14.
    1. Elliot R, Burkett B. Massage therapy as an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Bodywork Movement Therapy. 2013;17(3):332–338.
    1. Moraska A, Chandler C, Edmiston-schaetzel A, Franklin G, Calenda E, Enebo B. Comparison of a targeted and general massage protocol on strength, function, and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized pilot study. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008;14:259–267.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Delgado J, Garcia D, Funk CG. Rheumatoid arthritis in upper limbs benefits from moderate pressure massage therapy. Complementary Therapy in Clinical Practice. 2013;19:101–103.
    1. PateL KC, Gross A, Graham N, et al. Massage for mechanical neck disorders. Cochrane Database System Rev. 2012;9
    1. Field T, Diego M, Gonzalez G. Neck pain is decreased and range of motion increased by massage therapy. Journal of Pain and Relief. 2014
    1. Sherman KJ, Cook AJ, Wellman RD, Hawks RJ, Kahn JR, Deyo RA, Cherkin DC. Five-Week Outcomes From a Dosing Trail of Therapeutic Massage for Chronic Neck Pain. The Annals of Family Medicine. 2014;2:112–120.
    1. Donoyama N, Munakata T, Shibasaki M. Effects of Anma therapy (traditional Japanese massage) on body and mind. Journal of Bodywork and Movement. 2010;14:55–64.
    1. Kong LJ, Zhan HS, Cheng YW, Yuan WA, Chen B, Fang M. Massage Therapy for neck and shoulder pain: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine. 2013
    1. Youssef EF, Shanb AS. Mobilization versus massage therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache: a clinical study. Journal of Back Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2013;26(1):17–24.
    1. Perlman AI, Ali A, Njike VY, Hom D, David A, Gould-Forgerite S, Milak C, Katz DL. Massage therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized dose-finding trial. PLoS One. 2012;7(2)
    1. Eghbali M, Lellahgani H, Alimohammadi N, Daryabeigi R, Ghasempour Z. Study on effect of massage therapy on pain severity in orthopedic patients. Iran Journal Nursing Midwifery Research. 2010;1:32–6.
    1. Kumar S, Beaton K, Huges T. The effectiveness of massage therapy for the treatment of nonspecific low back pain: a systemic review of systematic reviews. International Journal of General Medicine. 2013;6:733–741.
    1. Kutner JS, Smith MC, Corbin L, Hemphill L, Benton K, Mellis BK, et al. Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;149:138–142.
    1. Listing M, Krohn, Liezmann C, Kim I, Reisshauer A, Peters E, Lapp BF, Rauchfuss M. Massage therapy reduces physical discomfort and improves mood disturbances in women with breast cancer. Psycho-oncology. 2009;18:1290–1299.
    1. Somani S, Merchant S, Lalani S. A literature review about effectiveness of massage therapy for cancer pain. The Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. 2013;11:1418–1421.
    1. Russell NC, Sumler SS, Beinhorn CM, Frenkel MA. Role of massage therapy in cancer care. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2008;14:209–214.
    1. Parlak Gurol A, Polat S, Akcay MN. Itching, Pain, and anxiety levels are reduced with massage therapy in burned adolescents. Journal of Burn Care Research. 2010;31:429–432.
    1. Bauer BA, Cutshall SM, Wentworth LJ, Engen D, Messner PK, Wood CM, Brekke KM, Kelly RF, Sumdt TM., 3 Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension after cardiac surgery: a randomized study. Complementary Therapeutic Clinical Practice. 2010;16:70–75.
    1. Braun LA, Stanguts C, Casanelia L, Spitzer O, Paul E, Vardaxis NJ, Rosenfeldt F. Massage therapy for cardiac surgery patients—a randomized trial. Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery. 2012;144:1453–1459.
    1. Cutshall SM, Wentworth LJ, Engen D, Sundt TM, Kelly RF, Baur BA. Effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and tension in cardiac surgical patients: a pilot study. Complementary Therapy Clinical Practice. 2010;2 10.1016.
    1. Kalichman L. Massage Therapy for fibromyalgia symptoms. Rheumatology International. 2010;9:1151–7.
    1. Donoyama N, Ohkoshi N. Effects of traditional Japanese massage therapy on various symtoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a case-series study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012;18:294–299.
    1. Adams R, White B, Beckett C. The effects of massage therapy on pain management in the acute care setting. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage Bodywork. 2010;1:4–11.
    1. Frey Law LA, Evens S, Knudtson J, Nus S, Schol K, et al. Massage reduces pain perception and hyperalgesia in experimental muscle pain: A randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Pain. 2008;9:714–721.
    1. Inui K, Tsuji T, Kakigi R. Temporal analysis of cortical mechanisms for pain relief by tactile stimuli in humans. Cerebral Cortex. 2006;16:355–365.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Cullen C, Hernandez-Reif M, Sunshine W, Douglas S. Fibromyalgia pain and substance P decrease and sleep improves after massage therapy. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. 2002;8:72–76.
    1. Craig AD. Pain mechanisms: labeled lines versus convergence in central processing. Annual Review of Neuroscience. 2003;26:1–30.
    1. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2005;115:1397–1413.
    1. Field T, Ironson G, Scafidi F, Nawrocki T, Goncalves A, Burman I, et al. Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience. 1996;86:197–205.
    1. Porges SW. The polyvagal theory: Phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2001;23:837–861.
    1. Field T, Diego M. Vagal activity, early growth and emotional development. Infant Behavior and Development. 2008;31:361–373.
    1. Diego MA, Field T, Sanders C, Hernandez-Reif M. Massage therapy of moderate and light pressure and vibrator effects on EEG and heart rate. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2004;114:31–45.
    1. Henriques J, Davidson R. Left frontal hypoactivation in depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 1991;100:535–545.
    1. Jones N, Field T. Massage and music therapies attenuate frontal EEG asymmetery in depressed adolescents. Adolescence. 1991;34:539–534.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M. Moderate pressure is essential for massage therapy effects. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2010;120:381–385.
    1. Field T, Diego M, Dieter J, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Yando R, Bendell D. Prenatal depression effects on the fetus and the newborn. Infant Behavior & Development. 2004;27:216–229.
    1. Field T, Morrow C, Valdeon C, Larson S, Kuhn C, Schanberg S. Massage reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1992;31:125–131.
    1. Post-White J, Fitzgerald M, Savik K, Hooke MC, Hannahan AB, Sencer SF. Massage therapy for children with cancer. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. 2009;26:16–28.
    1. Ang JY, Lua JL, Mathur A, Thomas R, Asmar BI, Savasan S, Buck S, Long M, Shankaran S. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of massage therapy on the immune system of preterm infants. Pediatrics. 2012;1306:1549–1558.
    1. Shor-Posner G, Hernandez-Reif M, Miguez MJ, Fletcher MA, Quintero N, Baez J, et al. Impact of a massage therapy clinical trial on immune status in young Dominican children infected with HIV-1. JACM. 2006;12:511–516.
    1. Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Friedman L, Shaw K. HIV adolescents show improved immune function following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2001;106:35–45.
    1. Hernandez-Reif M, Ironson G, Field T, Katz G, Diego M, Weiss S, et al. Breast cancer patients have improved immune functions following massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2004;57:45–52.
    1. Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Ironson G, Beutler J, Vera Y, Hurley J, et al. Natural killer cells and lymphocytes are increased in women with breast cancer following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2005;115:495–510.
    1. Brittenden J, Heys S, Ross J, Eremin O. Natural killer cells and cancer. American Cancer Society. 1996;77:1226–1243.
    1. Diego MA, Field T. Moderate pressure massage elicits a parasympathetic nervous system response. The International Journal of Neuroscience. 2009;119:630–638.
    1. Crane JD, Ogborn DI, Cupido C, Melove S, Hubbard A, Bourgeois JM, Tarnopolsky MA. Massage therapy attenuates inflammatory signaling after exercise- induced muscle damage. Science Translational Medicine. 2012;119:119ra 13.
    1. Krohn M, Listing M, Tjahjono G, Reisshauer A, Peters E, Klapp BF, Rauchfuss M. Depression, mood, stress, and Th1/Th2 immune balance in primary breast cancer patients undergoing classical massage therapy. Support Care Cancer. 2011;9:1303–1311.
    1. Noto Y, Kudo M, Hirota K. Back massage therapy promotes psychological relaxation and an increase in salivary chromogranin A release. Journal of Anesthsia. 2010;6:955–958.
    1. Pauk J, Kuhn C, Field T, Schanberg S. Positive effects of tactile versus kinesthetic or vestibular stimulation on neuroendocrine and ODC activity in maternally-deprived rat pups. Life Sciences. 1986;39:2081–2087.
    1. Schanberg S, Field T. Sensory deprivation stress and supplemental stimulation in the rat pup and preterm human neonate. Child Development. 1987;58:1431–1447.
    1. Morhenn V, Beavin LE, Zak PJ. Massage increases oxytocin and reduces adrenocorticotropin hormone in humans. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2012;18:11–18.
    1. Lidbeck J. Central hyperexcitability in chronic musculoskeletal pain: a conceptual breakthrough with multiple clinical implications. Pain Research and Management: The Journal of the Canadian Pain Society. 2002;7:81–92.
    1. Kandel E, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM. Principles of neural science. 4. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2000.
    1. O’Keane V, Dinan TG, Scott L, Corcoran C. Changes in hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal axis measures after vagus nerve stimulation therapy in chronic depression. Biological Psychiatry. 2005;58:963–968.
    1. Ahles TA, Tope DM, Pinkson B, Walch S, Hann D, Whedon M, et al. Massage therapy for patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 1999;18:157–163.
    1. Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Krasnegor J, Burman I. High blood pressure and associated symptoms were reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2000;4:31–38.
    1. Kubsch SM, Neveau T, Vandertie K. Effect of cutaneous stimulation on pain reduction in emergency department patients. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery. 2000;6:25–32.
    1. Kim MS, Cho KS, Woo H, Kim JH. Effects of hand massage on anxiety in cataract surgery using local anesthesia. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 2001;27:884–890.
    1. Ouchi Y, Kanno T, Okada H, Yoshikawa E, Shinke T, Nagasawa S, et al. Changes in cerebral blood flow under the prone condition with and without massage. Neuroscience Letters. 2006;407:131–135.
    1. Lindgren L, Westling G, Brulin C, Lehtipalo S, Andersson M, Nyberg L. Pleasant human touch is represented in pregenual anterior cingulate cortex. NeuroImage. 2012;15(59):3427–3432.
    1. Spangler G. Psychological and physiological responses during an exam and their relation to personality characteristics. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1997;22:423–441.
    1. Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. A preliminary study of the effects of repeated massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in healthy individuals: a study of mechanisms of action and dosage. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012;18:789–797.
    1. Thayer JF, Sternberg E. Beyond heart rate variability: Vagal regulation of allostatic systems. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2006;108:361–372.

Source: PubMed

Szponzorok és közreműködők

Egészségi állapot

Kábítószer-beavatkozások

3
Iratkozz fel