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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: benefits from massage therapy
T Field1, M Hernandez-Reif, S Seligman
1University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.
Insights
Parent-administered massage therapy significantly reduced anxiety, cortisol levels, and pain in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This 30-day intervention also improved pain-related functional limitations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background:
- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is a chronic condition causing pain and inflammation in children.
- Managing JRA symptoms often involves a multimodal approach, including pharmacotherapy and physical therapies.
- Psychological distress, including anxiety, is common in children with chronic illnesses like JRA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of parent-administered massage therapy on anxiety, stress hormones, and pain in children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- To compare the efficacy of massage therapy with relaxation therapy in managing JRA symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A study involving children diagnosed with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Participants received 15 minutes of daily parent-administered massage for 30 days, with a control group undergoing relaxation therapy.
- Measurements included immediate changes in anxiety and cortisol levels, and 30-day changes in pain (self-report, parent report, physician assessment) and functional limitations.
Main Results:
- Immediate decreases in anxiety and cortisol levels were observed following massage therapy.
- Over 30 days, significant reductions in pain incidence and severity were reported by children, parents, and physicians.
- Improvements were also noted in pain-limiting activities for the children receiving massage therapy.
Conclusions:
- Parent-administered massage therapy offers a viable non-pharmacological intervention for reducing psychological distress and pain in pediatric patients with JRA.
- Massage therapy may positively impact the overall well-being and functional capacity of children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
- Further research could explore long-term effects and optimal massage protocols for JRA management.
Abstract:
Studied children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who were massaged by their parents 15 minutes a day for 30 days (and a control group engaged in relaxation therapy). The children's anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were immediately decreased by the massage, and over the 30-day period their pain decreased on self-reports, parent reports, and their physician's assessment of pain (both the incidence and severity) and pain-limiting activities.