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Related Experiment Videos

Smoking cravings are reduced by self-massage

M Hernandez-Reif1, T Field, S Hart

  • 1Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Florida 33101, USA.

Preventive Medicine
|February 12, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Self-massage can help adults quit smoking by reducing anxiety and cravings. This study found that self-massage significantly lowered withdrawal symptoms and decreased the number of cigarettes smoked.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Behavioral Psychology

Background:

  • Smoking cessation attempts often trigger withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and cravings.
  • Massage therapy is recognized for its stress-reducing and mood-enhancing effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of self-massage as an adjunct therapy for smoking cessation.
  • To assess the impact of self-massage on withdrawal symptoms, mood, and cigarette consumption.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty adult smokers were randomized into a self-massage group or a control group.
  • The self-massage group practiced hand or ear massage three times daily for one month during cravings.
  • Data was collected through self-reports on anxiety, mood, and withdrawal symptoms, alongside daily cigarette counts.

Main Results:

  • Participants in the self-massage group reported significantly lower anxiety levels and improved mood.
  • The self-massage intervention led to a reduction in reported withdrawal symptoms.
  • A notable decrease in daily cigarette consumption was observed in the self-massage group by the study's final week.

Conclusions:

  • Self-massage shows promise as an effective complementary treatment for smoking cessation.
  • It can help manage anxiety, reduce cravings and withdrawal, improve mood, and decrease cigarette intake.
  • Further research into self-massage interventions for addiction cessation is warranted.

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