International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Research, Education, and Practice最新文献

Background: Myofascial trigger points are incredibly prevalent and are a painful aspect of almost everyone's life at some point. Myofascial trigger point pain can be excruciating and severely impair the quality of life. Therefore, in patients with neck pain caused by upper trapezius trigger, this current clinical trial will demonstrate the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy and positional release therapy in improving the level of pain, neck impairment, pain threshold, and standard of life.

Methods: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted. Fifty-two participants with active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle will be recruited based on selection criteria. They will be randomly allocated into group A (conservative treatment + myofascial release technique) or group B (conservative treatment + positional release technique). Both groups will receive the intervention three times a week for 2 weeks. The study will use the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, pressure algometer, Neck Disability Index, and a 36-Item Short-form Questionnaire as outcome measures.

Discussion: This trial will help identify the effectiveness of the positional and myofascial release techniques in active upper trapezius muscle trigger points and their effect on physical parameters.

Trial registration: This trial has been prospectively registered at the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2023/07/055126) on 12 July 2023.

Background: Myofascial release (MFR) is a form of massage therapy that involves identifying and releasing restrictions in the fascia and muscles. MFR-like techniques have shown improvement in abdominal pain, distention, constipation, and quality of life (QoL) in adults. Therefore, MFR may be helpful in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction or functional gastrointestinal disorder, mainly presenting with prolonged abdominal pain, bloating, and altered defecation patterns, leading to impairment in QoL. Treatments for IBS are limited and do not always completely relieve pain. To date, no studies have evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of MFR for children with IBS as a potential therapy.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of administering abdominal wall-targeted MFR in children with IBS.

Setting: This study was approved and conducted at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Participants: Males and females aged 13-18 years meeting Rome IV criteria for IBS were included in the study.

Research design: Participants underwent six 1-h weekly sessions of abdominal wall-targeted MFR with a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and performed self-MFR at home between sessions. Feasibility and acceptability data were collected via REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) by the study team and LMTs. Symptoms and QoL were assessed before and after the intervention period using child and parent versions of validated pediatric questionnaires.

Results: Of 10 participants aged 14-18 years, 60% females underwent the MFR intervention and completed the 6-week protocol. The median visit compliance with questionnaire completion was 90%. All participants received self-MFR education and performed self-MFR between sessions. Fascia restrictions were identified and released in all participants, as reported by the LMTs. Most participants voluntarily provided positive feedback on MFR. All participants reported no or minimal soreness during or after MFR, and no adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: Abdominal wall-targeted MFR is feasible to administer and well accepted in pediatric IBS patients.

This editorial reflects on the continued professionalization of therapeutic massage and bodywork (TMB) in 2024 through collaboration, growth, and enhanced communication, as highlighted by the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB). Key achievements include the publication of high-quality articles and editorials that explore diverse areas of research, clinical practice, and education. We express deep gratitude to the authors, reviewers, readers, and funders who have supported the journal's mission to advance the profession. Looking ahead to 2025, we invite continued contributions from our community and highlight an upcoming special edition on the intersection of mental health and massage therapy. As always, the journal remains a vital platform for sharing insights and fostering professional growth within the TMB field.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that about 1 in every 44 children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old had been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Complementary interventions such as massage are crucial for the improvement of the health outcomes of ASD patients, such as abnormal sensory response; Autism Behavior Checklist; parenting stress, self-regulatory difficulties, social, language, and communication abilities; tactile or oral abnormalities; Vineland daily living skills; Vineland socialization; Childhood Autism Rating Scale; Preschool Language Scale 5th Edition (PLS-5) auditory communication; and PLS-5 expressive communication.

Purpose: We aim to systematically investigate the effects of different types of massage on self-regulatory difficulties, tactile and oral abnormalities, and parenting stress in children with ASD.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were scoured from their inception through November 15, 2022. Research comparing massage efficacy in children with ASD to other methods or a control group was included. For randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we utilized the Cochrane risk of bias tool; and for cohort studies, we used the tool developed by the National Institutes of Health. Meta-analysis was carried out with Review Manager 5.4. For our continuous data, we calculated the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results: We included 10 studies with a total number of 485 children with autism. Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the massage group regarding self-regulatory difficulties (MD = -9.15; 95% CI (-13.69 to -4.60), p < 0.0001). Also, the massage group showed a significant decrease in tactile or oral abnormalities compared with the control group (MD = -4.83; 95% CI (-7.86 to -1.80), p = 0.002). Moreover, parenting stress significantly decreased in the massage group compared to the control group (MD = -4.31; 95% CI (-7.02 to -1.61), p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Qigong and traditional Thai massage improved self-regulatory difficulties and decreased tactile or oral abnormalities in children with autism. Moreover, they decreased parenting stress. However, we need more RCTs with larger sample sizes with high quality to assess the different types of massage effects on autistic children and produce more valid results. So, Qigong and traditional Thai massage could be used as a complement to educational and training interventions in children with autism.

Background: Patient-centered burn care extends beyond physical treatment to incorporate the management of the psychological impacts including stress, pain, and anxiety. This study explores the novel application of massage therapy (MT) in children with acute burns, assessing utilization and impact on pain and relaxation.

Methods: A retrospective review of 198 children with thermal injury admitted to an American Burn Association-verified pediatric burn center between January 2022 and July 2023 was conducted, excluding those requiring intensive care admission. Demographics, injury details, and MT variables were summarized using descriptive statistics. A logistic regression explored the impact of age, length of stay (LOS), and total body surface area on MT provision.

Results: All patients received MT consultation, with 13.6% of patients (n = 27) undergoing 43 MT sessions, with a median duration of 25.0 min. Common burn mechanisms in the MT group were scalds (55.6%), flame (22.2%), and contact (14.8%) burns. Of patients reporting pain pre-massage, 75.0% experienced pain relief, and 95.3% were content, relaxed or resting comfortably post-intervention. Barriers to MT included patients being asleep (42.1%), off the unit (33.7%), or attended to by other health-care providers (21.1%). Patients receiving MT had a longer median LOS compared to those who did not (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: MT is potentially valuable for children admitted with acute burns, reducing pain and promoting relaxation. However, patients admitted on weekends and with short admissions frequently missed MT treatment. Addressing barriers through additional weekend resources, provider education, and increased awareness of patient readiness for sessions may improve access to MT.

Background: Ice massage is commonly employed in the management of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding abdominal ice massage on blood glucose level (BGL) and cardiovascular function either in healthy or pathological conditions. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the effects of ice massage to the abdomen on BGL and cardiovascular functions in healthy individuals.

Materials and methods: In our single-group pre-test and post-test experimental study, 50 healthy (27 females and 23 males) volunteers aged 24.72 ± 5.48 years were recruited. All the subjects underwent only one session of ice massage to the abdomen for 20 min. Random BGL and cardiovascular functions such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR), pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), rate pressure product (RPP), and double product (Do-P) were assessed before, immediately after, and 20 min after the intervention.

Results: The study showed a significant reduction in PR, RPP, and Do-P in the post-test assessments, whereas in the follow-up assessment (i.e., 20 min after the intervention), a significant reduction was found in random blood glucose, SBP, DBP, PR, MAP, RPP, and Do-P compared to the pre-test assessments. No adverse effects were reported by any of the participants during and after the intervention.

Conclusion: Twenty minutes of ice massage to the abdomen improves cardiovascular function immediately after the intervention, whereas after 20 min of intervention, it reduces BGL in addition to improving cardiovascular function in healthy individuals. However, long-term randomized controlled trials in patients with diabetes are recommended with a larger sample size to warrant the clinical efficacy of this study.

This editorial is the final in a three-part series discussing the pillars of the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage a nd Bodywork: research, practice, and education. Highlighting the need for scholarly discourse, this piece aims to inspire therapeutic massage and bodywork (TMB) educators to share their creative approaches to educational matters. The author advocates for a united effort to share knowledge and practices that will enrich TMB education and, ultimately, professional practice.

Background: Headaches are a prevalent health issue affecting diverse populations worldwide, driving a growing interest in complementary therapies like reflexology. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the potential of plantar reflexology as a complementary approach for managing headaches.

Methods: Employing a systematic approach, databases were scoured for studies on plantar reflexology's efficacy in headache management. From 23 initial contenders, three studies meeting the inclusion criteria, two randomized controlled trials and a pilot study, were examined for treatment efficacy and quality.

Results: Our review highlights three primary studies, collectively indicating a significant enhancement in treatment efficacy within the plantar reflexology groups when compared to control groups. These findings suggest that plantar reflexology exhibits potential as an effective complementary therapy for managing headaches. However, in light of these promising results, a more cautious approach is advisable. There is a pressing need for more rigorous and high-quality research to substantiate these outcomes in real-world contexts and applications.

Conclusion: Plantar reflexology emerges as an option within the field of headache management. While its efficacy is promising, the specific mechanisms behind its action require further investigation. Positioned among a range of treatment modalities, plantar reflexology distinguishes itself as a safe and non-invasive alternative. This review underscores the necessity for additional research, encouraging the scientific community to delve into this intriguing avenue for headache relief and expand our comprehension of its potential advantages.

The physical demands and repetitive movements performed by massage therapists during a treatment increase the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. While massage therapy meets the level of heavy physical demand, the ergonomic risk of performing a massage was previously unknown. The Massage Therapy Foundation undertook a job task analysis to be used by educators, employers, and clinicians to create an optimal work environment. Data collected via survey were used to create the protocol for an onsite data collection where massage therapists were evaluated on the ergonomic risk factors by trained ergonomists. The results of the job task analysis found the highest variability in movement when the massage therapist was treating the neck prone, neck supine, and leg prone. When the massage therapists did not change positions during a stroke, there was increased forward flexion of the trunk which increased postural stress on the extensors of the back and neck. Strokes such as effleurage which can span the entire length of the body part had the highest cumulative load, requiring postures that put mild biomechanical stress on the shoulders (90% of the time), neck (70% of the time), and trunk (60% of the time). The forward-bending posture of the massage therapist increases the eccentric demands of the therapist's neck and back musculature, thereby increasing fatigue and leading to an increase in the chance of overuse injury. The job task analysis recommends the massage therapist monitor the duration of application in an unsupported position, take more time between sessions, work in an optimum environment, including correct table height, and have a healthy, active lifestyle to maintain career longevity.

Background: Neck pain is a common complaint affecting people across various professions, especially those involving prolonged sedentary activities.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medical massage in reducing neck pain among diverse occupational groups in North Macedonia over a 3-year period (2019-2022).

Methods: A total of 127 participants from various professions such as information technology professionals, bank accountants, textile workers, business sector employees, and secretaries were subjected to one or two massages per month. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale at the start and throughout the study. The statistical methods in this research study included descriptive statistics for summarizing demographic data, comparative analyses to assess the effectiveness of massage therapy on pain reduction, and inferential statistics to determine significance levels and correlations within the data.

Results: At the beginning of the study, participants reported an average pain intensity level of 7 on a numerical rating scale from 1 to 10. Over the study period, consistent massage therapy led to a significant reduction in neck pain, with participants reporting an average pain level of 2 in the final months. Crucially, the research revealed that discontinuation of massage sessions, as observed in a subset of respondents who abstained for approximately 4 months, resulted in an escalation of pain intensity. This finding draws attention to the importance of regular massage therapy in sustaining pain relief benefits.

Conclusion: The study's outcomes focus on the effectiveness of medical massage in managing neck pain across various occupational backgrounds. This research provides valuable perception in the potential long-term benefits of massage therapy, accenting the need for continued treatment to maintain pain relief among people exposed to neck and back pain. These findings offer essential guidance to healthcare professionals and individuals seeking non-pharmacological interventions for chronic neck pain management.