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Massage therapy research review.

Tiffany Field1

  • 1Touch Research Institute, University of Miami Medical School, USA; Fielding Graduate University, USA.

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
|August 31, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Moderate pressure massage offers significant benefits, including improved infant weight gain, pain relief for conditions like fibromyalgia, and enhanced immune function. This review highlights its positive impact on mood and stress regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Moderate pressure massage has demonstrated various positive effects in recent studies.
  • These effects include benefits for preterm infants, pain management, and immune enhancement.
  • A comprehensive review of these findings is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on the effects of moderate pressure massage.
  • To highlight the neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying these effects.
  • To identify areas for future research.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies comparing moderate and light pressure massage.
  • Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
Keywords:
Massage therapy research review

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  • Examination of physiological markers such as heart rate, EEG, vagal activity, and cortisol levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Moderate pressure massage was associated with increased weight gain in preterm infants.
    • It effectively reduced pain in conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Studies showed reduced depression, anxiety, and heart rate, alongside altered EEG patterns indicative of relaxation.
    • Increased vagal activity and decreased cortisol levels were observed.
    • fMRI data indicated activation in brain regions associated with stress and emotion regulation (amygdala, hypothalamus, anterior cingulate cortex).

    Conclusions:

    • Moderate pressure massage yields significant physiological and psychological benefits.
    • It influences stress and emotion regulation pathways in the brain.
    • Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms.