Massage decreases aggression in preschool children: a long-term study

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Aggression and deviant behavior are significant concerns in preschool children.
• Early intervention is crucial for addressing behavioral issues in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of daily massage in mitigating aggression and deviant behavior in 4- to 5-year-old children attending day-care centers.
• To assess the impact of massage on social and somatic problems in young children.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 110 children (60 in the massage group, 50 in the control group).
• Children received daily 5-10 minute massages during midday rest, while controls listened to a story.
• The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) was administered to parents and staff at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, with a 12-month follow-up for the massage group.

Main Results:

• Massage therapy led to a significant reduction in aggression scores after 3 months, with sustained improvement in deviant children at 6 months.
• Parents reported a significant decrease in somatic problems among children receiving massage.
• Staff observed a decrease in social problems in massaged children compared to controls, with attention problems improving at home.

Conclusions:

• Daily, brief massage is a feasible, cost-effective intervention for reducing aggression and behavioral problems in preschool children.
• Massage therapy shows promise as a non-pharmacological approach to improve emotional and social well-being in young children.
• The positive effects of massage on behavior and somatic complaints were sustained over a 12-month period.