Please note, these are article references taken from a PubMed search on massage, at this point without content review or editing. Some entries may not be pertinent to professional provision of massage. All of the references shown have abstracts under PubMed. Links to the journal title will do a Google search. Most doi, uri, and url links will successfully link to the article online. D M Gauthier author 1999-Jun-17 text continuing periodical academic journal 1072-7639 1999-Jun-17 6 5 The experience of illness and/or hospitalization often elicits a stress response which may manifest as sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and general discomfort. The diagnosis and treatment of a person's response to illness or other event is a key tenet of nursing. The well-established nursing intervention, back rub or back massage, has been utilized as a time-honored comfort measure. This research review summarizes the studies that have evaluated the effect of massage on psychophysiologic outcome measures. Research demonstrates that back massage has the ability to elicit a relaxation response in the majority of study subjects. Gauthier1999 Shoskes author Zeitlin author 1999-May text continuing periodical academic journal 1365-7852 1999-May 2 3 159 159 Chronic prostatitis is often refractory to antibiotics, however biopsy and molecular data indicate persistent symptoms may be due to occult infection. Combining antibiotic therapy with regular prostatic massage has been suggested as an effective therapy for some of these men. From November 1996 to December 1998, 73 men with chronic pelvic pain syndromes were treated with antibiotics and prostatic massage. Antibiotic selection was based on culture and sensitivity of prostatic fluid or empirically if cultures were negative. Prostatic massage was done 1 to 3 times per week and fluid examined for WBCs and cultured for bacteria. The average age of the group was 43.5 y (range 23-72) and average duration of symptoms 6.7 y (median 3 y, range 3 months-30 y). Prostatic cultures were negative in 19, grew uropathogens in 2, and Gram positive bacteria in 52 patients. Overall 29 patients (40%) had complete resolution of symptoms, 14 (19%) had complete resolution followed by a recurrence, 15 (21%) had some improvement and 15 (21%) had no improvement. All positive cultures were sterilized during treatment. Combination prostatic massage and culture specific antibiotics can be an effective treatment in a proportion of men with long standing refractory chronic prostatitis. Shoskes1999 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500308 Isabelle Le Blanc-Louvry author Bruno Costaglioli author Catherine Boulon author Anne-Marie Leroi author Philippe Ducrotte author text continuing periodical academic journal 1091-255X 6 1 43 49 The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mechanical abdominal massage on postoperative pain and ileus after colectomy. We hypothesized that parietal abdominal stimulation could counteract induced pain and postoperative ileus, through common spinal-sensitive pathways, with nociceptive visceral messages. After preoperative randomization, 25 patients (age 52 +/- 5 years) underwent active mechanical massage by intermittent negative pressure on the abdominal wall resulting in aspiration (Cellu M50 device, LPG, Valence, France), and 25 patients (age 60 +/- 6 years) did not receive active mechanical massage (placebo group). Massage sessions began the first day after colectomy and were performed daily until the seventh postoperative day. In the active-massage group, amplitude and frequency were used, which have been shown to be effective in reducing muscular pain, whereas in the placebo group, ineffective parameters were used. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, doses of analgesics (propacetamol), and delay between surgery and the time to first passage of flatus were assessed. Types and dosages of the anesthetic drugs and the duration of the surgical procedure did not differ between groups. From the second and third postoperative days, respectively, VAS pain scores (P < 0.001) and doses of analgesics (P < 0.05) were significantly lower in patients receiving active massage compared to the placebo group. Time to first passage of flatus was also significantly shorter in the active-massage group (1.8 +/- 0.3 days vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4 days, P < 0.01). No adverse effects were observed. These results suggest that mechanical massage of the abdominal wall may decrease postoperative pain and ileus after colectomy. ref177 A Mitzel-Wilkinson author 2000-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0887-9311 2000-Jan 14 2 48 48 Nursing is a profession that can be practiced in many unique ways. Nursing care can be provided through conventional means in traditional settings or practiced in domains labeled as alternative or complementary. This article describes massotherapy as an alternative therapy of a holistic nursing practice. The elements of a business plan, including planning and marketing are addressed. Mitzel-Wilkinson2000 S Lewis author 2000-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 1322-8803 2000-Oct 7 2 29 29 In this detailed case study of a very sick baby in a modern technological hospital, nursing staff and parents joined forces to implement and monitor a fully coordinated massage program in response to possible ICU psychosis. Positive results indicate that massage enhances the delivery of truly holistic care. Lewis2000 P Mackereth author 2000-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 2000-Aug 6 3 111 115 Listening to others has inspired this paper, as they share their experience and analyze their practice, and in the process uncover what is quintessential to therapeutic work. Of course, stories and insights can illuminate our own reflections and in turn deepen our understanding of what it means to be a nurse and massage therapist. They can also challenge what we think to be truths and sacred cows. This paper is about how confusion can be our best teacher when we seek to understand notions of contact and engagement in therapeutic work. When a patient says 'yes' to massage/bodywork what do they expect? Perhaps the massage will ease backache or leave them feeling profoundly relaxed; or could it be that the human contact is the most important need, but that need may be harder to express or even acknowledge? In examining the issues raised by this paper the author proposes a 'structural, emotional and energetic' (SEE) model for massage/bodywork contracts, and recommends that therapists seek supervision and support for their work. Mackereth2000 L A Goldstone author 2000-Nov text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 2000-Nov 6 4 169 175 Massage has had a long history within orthodox medicine and is not an unknown, untried therapy of dubious origin. Writers on massage usually refer to its long history in ancient cultures but stop with Ling, to whom they attribute the development of modern massage in the early 19th century. Little attention is given to the rich massage literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which reveals massage to have been an orthodox medical therapy practised by doctors and nurses. Analysis of that literature shows massage to have been significantly different in its application to most of today's practice, despite similarity of definition and terminology. Lack of detailed specification of a massage is a limitation of much current research, and this paper suggests a framework, or template, for that specification based on the earlier literature, so that future massages used in research can be replicated and implemented more reliably than at present. Massage as an orthodox therapy almost disappeared after WWII, but has recently reemerged as a complementary therapy which requires a full re-evaluation and audit. The template for its specification, together with the utilization and reconsideration of earlier modes of delivery, offers significant research opportunities for nurses and midwives of today. Goldstone2000 D M Toups author 1999 text continuing periodical academic journal 1999 99 3 13 14 Toups1999 1998-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 1998-Jan 10 1 14 17 ref206 J R Casley-Smith author 2000 text continuing periodical academic journal 1386-0291 2000 23 2-4 335 343 This review starts with a brief description of the pioneering work done by J.R. Casley-Smith when he looked at the pathophysiological changes that occur, and transport from the blood vessels, through the interstitium to the lymphatics and lymphatic uptake, with the electron microscope. Collaboration with, and further work by many colleagues producing a better understanding of lymphatic drainage, have led to this work being applied in the treatment of lymphoedema. Casley-Smith2000 M Hernandez-Reif author T Field author S Largie author S Hart author M Redzepi author B Nierenberg author T M Peck author text continuing periodical academic journal 0273-8481 22 2 191 191 Before dressing changes, 24 young children (mean age = 2.5 years) hospitalized for severe burns received standard dressing care or massage therapy in addition to standard dressing care. The massage therapy was conducted to body parts that were not burned. During the dressing change, the children who received massage therapy showed minimal distress behaviors and no increase in movement other than torso movement. In contrast, the children who did not receive massage therapy responded to the dressing change procedure with increased facial grimacing, torso movement, crying, leg movement and reaching out. Nurses also reported greater ease in completing the dressing change procedure for the children in the massage therapy group. These findings suggest that massage therapy attenuates young childrens' distress responses to aversive medical procedures and facilitates dressing changes. ref211 S Ternström author M Andersson author U Bergman author 2000 text continuing periodical academic journal 1401-5439 2000 25 4 146 150 The effect of massage on voice fundamental frequency (F(0)) and sound pressure level (SPL) was investigated. Subjects were recorded while reading a 3-min passage of prose text. Then, a 30-min session of massage was administered by a trained naprapathy therapist. Sixteen subjects were given the massage, while 15 controls rested, lying down in silence for the same amount of time. The subjects were then recorded reading the same passage again. The F(0), and SPL averages across the whole passage were measured for the pre- and post-treatment recordings. In the post-massage recordings, subjects had lowered their F(0) by 1.1 semitones and their SPL by 1.0 dB, with very high statistical significance. The drop in F(0) was somewhat larger for the males than for the females. The control subjects showed no effect at all. Ternström2000 10.1080/140154300750067520 K N Agarwal author A Gupta author R Pushkarna author S K Bhargava author M M Faridi author M K Prabhu author 2000-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0971-5916 2000-Dec 112 212 217 BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to investigate if massage with oils commonly used in the community for massage in infancy is beneficial. METHODS: Full term born healthy infants (n = 125), 6 +/- 1 wk of age, wt > 3000 g were randomly divided into five groups. Infants received (i) herbal oil, (ii) sesame oil, (iii) mustard oil, or (iv) mineral oil for massage daily for 4 wk. The fifth group did not receive massage and served as control. The study tools were anthropometeric measurements; microhaematrocrit; serum proteins, creatinine and creatine phosphokinase; blood flow using colour doppler and sleep pattern. RESULTS: Massage improved the weight, length, and midarm and midleg circumferences as compared to infants without massage. However, in the group with sesame oil massage increase in length, midarm and midleg circumferences by 1.0, 0.9 and 0.7 cm, respectively was significant (P < 0.05, < 0.01 & < 0.05). There was no change in microhaematocrit, serum: proteins, albumin, creatinine and creatine phosphokinase between both the groups. The femoral artery blood velocity, diameter and flow improved significantly by 12.6 cm/sec, 0.6 cm and 3.55 cm3/sec respectively in the group with sesame oil massage as compared to the control group. Massage improved the post massage sleep, the maximum being 1.62 h in the sesame oil group (P < 0.0001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Massage in infancy improves growth and post-massage sleep. However, only sesame oil showed significant benefit. Agarwal2000 A Franke author S Gebauer author K Franke author T Brockow author 2000-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 1424-7364 2000-Dec 7 6 286 293 OBJECTIVE: Rehabilitation programs for low back pain (LBP) almost always contain massage and exercise therapy in one form or another. AIM: This study aimed to quantify the effectiveness of therapeutic 'Acupuncture' massage (APM; i.e. tonic stimulation of entire meridians) according to Penzel versus Swedish massage (SM) and individual medical exercises (IE) versus group exercises (GE) in LBP sufferers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 109 patients participating in a complex in-patient rehabilitation program were randomised to four groups in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Main outcome measures were functional ability/disability (Functional Questionnaire Hanover, FFbH) and pain intensity (10 cm visual analogue scale, VAS). Pre/post changes were evaluated by means of 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Additionally, lumbar motility was measured by a 2-inclinometer technique. RESULTS: Baseline mean FFbH score was 66 (SD = 18)%, mean pain intensity on VAS was 4.5 (SD = 2.4) cm. Lumbar flexion and extension were 49 (13) and 13 (7). Because of some differences between groups at baseline, group-standardized outcomes were used for analysis. APM showed beneficial effects for both disability and pain compared with SM (group differences: delta FFbH 7.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5-11.6], p = 0.003; delta VAS 0.8 cm [95% CI: 2-15], p = 0.024). Standardized response means were SRMFFbH = 0.5 and SRMVAS = 0.8 for APM, as opposed to SRMFFbH = -0.01 and SRMVAS = 0.4 for SM. Neither significant group differences between both exercise groups [delta FFbH -0.5% (95% CI -5.2 to 4.2); delta Vas 0.4 cm (95% CI 0.3 to 1.1)] nor significant interactions between medical exercise and massage were found. CONCLUSIONS: Given the fact that even the treatments considered to be the best available achieve at best moderate effects, the observed effect sizes with APM are promising and warrant further investigation in replication studies. In contrast to common view, no superiority of individual versus group exercises could be found in the present study. Franke2000 A C Lee author K J Kemper author 2000-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 1075-5535 2000-Dec 6 6 527 529 OBJECTIVES: To describe the practice patterns of licensed massage therapists (LMTs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS: One hundred and twenty-six (126) massage practices randomly selected from the Greater Boston Area yellow pages. OUTCOMES MEASURES: Practitioner demographics, training, practice characteristics, and fees. RESULTS: The response rate was 65%. Most respondents were Caucasian (95%) and female (80%). Their mean age was 41 years old. Half held a college degree; on average, practitioners received 1000 hours of training in massage therapy. The majority were in group practices (59%) and saw an average of 20 patients per week. The typical visit lasted 50-60 minutes; the cost was $60 and rarely covered by insurance (5%). Half of respondents offered sliding scales to patients, but only 11% accepted Medicaid patients. Respondents reported less than 1 visit per week from pediatric and adolescent patients (<21 years old). CONCLUSIONS: Most LMTs are female and Caucasian. The costs of massage therapy are almost entirely paid out-of-pocket by patients (95%). LMTs infrequently care for children. Lee2000 P Sansone author L Schmitt author text continuing periodical academic journal 0197-4572 21 6 303 308 This 1-year demonstration project looked at the effects of gentle massage on two groups of elderly nursing home residents: those suffering from chronic pain and those with dementia who were exhibiting anxious or agitated behaviors. The certified nursing attendants were trained by a licensed massage therapist. The project was divided into three 12-week phases; different staff and residents were involved in each phase. Fifty-nine of 71 residents completed the 12-week program. Pain scores declined at the end of each phase, and anxiety scores declined in two of the three phases. Eighty-four percent of the nursing attendants reported that the residents enjoyed receiving tender touch, and 71% thought this type of massage improved their ability to communicate with the residents. ref223 T J Birk author A McGrady author R D MacArthur author S Khuder author 2000-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 1075-5535 2000-Oct 6 5 405 414 OBJECTIVES: Determine effects of massage therapy alone and in combination with exercise or stress management-biofeedback treatment on enumerative immune measures, and quality of life in moderately immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) subjects. DESIGN: Randomized prospective controlled trial with 42 subjects randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups or a control group receiving standard care and intervention over a 12-week period. SETTING: Academic medical center. SUBJECTS: Forty-two (42) subjects with HIV infection (40 males; 2 females; aged 27-50 years) met eligibility requirements of CD4+ lymphocyte cell count greater than 200 cells per microliter; no present or recent signs or symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and were not hospitalized. INTERVENTIONS: A 45-minute overall body massage once per week; similar massage and supervised aerobic exercise 2 other days per week; similar massage and biofeedback stress management once per week; control receiving standard treatment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in peripheral blood levels of CD4+ lymphocytes, CD8+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio and natural killer cells; six dimension quality-of-life assessment. RESULTS: No significant changes (p > 0.05) were found in any enumerative immune measure. Significant (p < 0.05) differences for quality-of-life assessment were in health care utilization and health perceptions, favoring massage and stress management compared to massage only and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Massage administered once per week to HIV-infected persons does not enhance immune measures. Massage combined with stress management favorably alters health perceptions and leads to less utilization of health care resources. This suggests that HIV-infected persons receiving massage and stress management would tend to not overutilize health care services, thus possibly reducing health care costs. Birk2000 K C Richards author R Gibson author A L Overton-McCoy author 2000-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 1079-0713 2000-Feb 11 1 77 77 This is a discussion of the results of a systematic review of 22 articles examining the effect of massage on relaxation, comfort, and sleep. The most consistent effect of massage was reduction in anxiety. Eight of 10 original research studies reported that massage significantly decreased anxiety or perception of tension. Seven of 10 studies found that massage produced physiologic relaxation, as indicated by significant changes in the expected direction in one or more physiologic indicators. In the three studies in which the effect of massage on discomfort was investigated, it was found to be effective in reducing pain. In only three studies was the effect of massage on sleep examined. The methods for measuring sleep were unclear in two of the studies, and results were inconclusive in the other. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of massage on discomfort and promoting sleep. Richards2000 A D Furlan author L Brosseau author V Welch author J Wong author 2000 text continuing periodical academic journal 1469-493X 2000 4 CD001929 BACKGROUND: Low back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems in modern societies. Proponents of massage therapy claim it can minimize pain and disability, and speed return to normal function. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of massage therapy for non-specific low back pain. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Healthstar, CINAHL and Dissertation abstracts from 1966 to 1999 with no language restrictions. References in the included studies and in reviews of the literature were also screened. Contact with content experts and massage associations were also made. SELECTION CRITERIA: This review included randomized, quasi-randomized or controlled clinical trials that investigated the use of any type of massage (using the hands or a mechanical device) as a treatment for nonspecific low back pain. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One reviewer applied the selection criteria and extracted the data. Two reviewers (one blinded to authors, institutions and journals) independently assessed the quality of each trial. A qualitative analysis (best-evidence synthesis) was performed due to clinical heterogeneity among the included trials and insufficient data reported. MAIN RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Two trials were of high and two of low methodological quality. None evaluated massage as the main intervention. Rather, it was the control intervention in studies evaluating manipulation, electrical stimulation, and a lumbar corset. There is limited evidence showing that massage is less effective than manipulation immediately after the first session and moderate evidence showing it is less effective than TENS during the course of sessions in relieving pain and improving activity. At the completion of treatment and at 3 weeks after discharge there is no difference among massage and manipulation, electrical stimulation or corsets, but this evidence is limited. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Based on the studies reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to recommend massage as a stand-alone treatment for non-specific low back pain. There is a need for high quality controlled trials to further evaluate the effects of massage for this condition. Furlan2000 K Davidson author S Jacoby author M S Brown author text continuing periodical academic journal 0884-2175 29 5 474 479 OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between perineal lacerations and 13 variables associated with the incidence of perineal lacerations. Of particular interest was the variable of prenatal preparation of the perineum. DESIGN: This retrospective descriptive study used a convenience sample of 368 women whose delivery was attended by at least one of two midwives practicing in the Northwest between 1979 and 1995. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: All births in the study occurred in a home-based midwifery practice in the Northwest. The sample was primarily white and included 307 multiparous and 61 primiparous women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The initial chi squares indicated that five of the 13 factors investigated were significantly associated with the degree of laceration: parity, maternal age, maternal position at delivery, length of second stage of labor, and prenatal perineal massage. However, further analyses showed that when parity was controlled, the only factors independently associated with the seriousness of lacerations were parity and prenatal perineal massage. CONCLUSION: This study supports the conclusion that teaching perineal massage to primiparous women and multiparae who had episiotomies with their previous births is a useful intervention. It suggests that further study may help clarify the optimum frequency, timing, and technique of massage. ref227 A Shimotoyodome author S Meguro author T Hase author I Tokimitsu author A Fujimura author Y Nozaka author 2000-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 0022-3484 2000-Oct 35 5 310 317 The lymphatic system is very important for macromolecular clearance in various tissues, especially in the gingiva. However, the kinetics of macromolecular clearance via the lymph flow in the gingiva are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether thermal or mechanical stimulation affects macromolecular clearance via the lymph flow in the gingiva. Carbon black suspension was injected into the mandibular gingiva of anesthetized hamsters and its drainage into cervical lymph nodes was examined. Clearance of 14C-methylated bovine albumin and tritiated water from the gingiva and their drainage into submandibular lymph nodes and blood was quantified. The effect of topical warming or massage on clearance of 14C-methylated albumin from the gingiva during a 15 min period was examined. In addition, the influence of neurochemical antagonists on the stimulatory effect of topical warming on albumin clearance was investigated. Submandibular lymph nodes were clearly delineated by carbon black 10 min after the injection. More radiolabeled albumin appeared in submandibular lymph nodes than in serum, while more tritiated water appeared in serum. Topical warming (45 degrees C, 2 min) and warming plus massage (with a silicon rubber brush, 20 s) decreased the radiolabeled albumin in the gingiva 15 min after the injection. There was less radiolabeled albumin in the gingiva after gingival warming plus massage than after warming. Previous injection of HOE140 or propranolol into the gingiva diminished the stimulatory effect of topical warming on albumin clearance. It was concluded that topical warming plus massage improves macromolecular clearance via the lymph flow in hamster gingiva. Shimotoyodome2000 M Ireland author M Olson author 2000-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 1078-6791 2000-Sep 6 5 54 54 OBJECTIVE: To review and critique the research on the effect of massage therapy and therapeutic touch in children, and to describe clinical implications and make suggestions for future study. DATA SOURCES: Studies were obtained through online computer searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and SocioFile. Key words used were tactile, kinesthetic, massage therapy, touch, therapeutic touch, infants, and children. STUDY SELECTION, DATA EXTRACTION, AND SYNTHESIS: Fourteen massage therapy studies were selected because they met the following 3 criteria: investigated massage therapy in children; were published in refereed nursing, allied health, or infant and child development journals between 1969 and 1999; and were quantitative in nature. Studies were divided according to developmental age for analysis: neonates, preschool, and older children. Five therapeutic touch studies, 3 quantitative and 2 qualitative, were selected because they were the only empirical reports about the effect of therapeutic touch in children to date. In addition to critiques, the therapeutic touch studies were examined for the following 10 characteristics: study purpose/hypotheses, background/literature review, sample selection method, study design/random assignment, independent variable/length of treatment/control and confounders, dependent variables/measurements, outcomes, study limitations, and implications for future research. CONCLUSIONS: More research exists to support the use of massage therapy than therapeutic touch in children. A set of common findings across 2 decades of study suggests that massage therapy may be useful in the care of infants and children. Because massage therapy and therapeutic touch seem to elicit similar parasympathetic effects, therapeutic touch may be useful. There is insufficient evidence, however, to recommend its use in children without qualifications. Ireland2000 C Anderson author M Lis-Balchin author M Kirk-Smith author 2000-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0951-418X 2000-Sep 14 6 452 456 Childhood atopic eczema is an increasingly common condition in young children. As well as being irritating to the child, it causes sleepless nights for both the child and the family and leads to difficulties in parental relationships and can have severe effects on employment. A group of eight children, born to professional working mothers were studied to test the hypothesis that massage with essential oils (aromatherapy) used as a complementary therapy in conjunction with normal medical treatment, would help to alleviate the symptoms of childhood atopic eczema. The children were randomly allocated to the massage with essential oils group and both counselled and massaged with a mixture of essential oils by the therapist once a week and the mother every day over a period of 8 weeks. The preferred essential oils, chosen by the mothers for their child, from 36 commonly used aromatherapy oils, were: sweet marjoram, frankinsence, German chamomile, myrrh, thyme, benzoin, spike lavender and Litsea cubeba. A control group of children received the counselling and massage without essential oils. The treatments were evaluated by means of daily day-time irritation scores and night time disturbance scores, determined by the mother before and during the treatment, both over an 8 week period; finally general improvement scores were allocated 2 weeks after the treatment by the therapist, the general practitioner and the mother. The study employed a single case experimental design across subjects, such that there were both a within-subject control and between-subjects control, through the interventions being introduced at different times. The results showed a significant improvement in the eczema in the two groups of children following therapy, but there was no significant difference in improvement shown between the aromatherapy massage and massage only group. Thus there is evidence that tactile contact between mother and child benefits the symptoms of atopic eczema but there is no proof that adding essential oils is more beneficial than massage alone. Further studies on the essential oil massage group showed a deterioration in the eczematous condition after two further 8 week periods of therapy, following a period of rest after the initial period of contact. This may have been due to a decline in the novelty of the treatment, or, it strongly suggests possible allergic contact dermatitis provoked by the essential oils themselves. The results of this study indicate the necessity of prolonged studies with novel plant extracts as short-term beneficial results could be overturned by adverse effects after repeated usage. Anderson2000 F Y Huang author L M Huang author text continuing periodical academic journal 1608-8115 40 3 166 170 We previously demonstrated that local massage for one minute can enhance immunogenicity of diphtheria, tetanus, and whole-cell pertussis (DTPw) vaccination. This study further analyzes the effects of more intense local manipulation on infants after DTPw and DTPa (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) vaccination. A total of 808 infants aged two months were recruited to be vaccinated with either DTPw or DTPa. Vaccinees in both groups were further divided into two groups; those receiving local manipulation (massage and hot packing after vaccinations) and those receiving only vaccinations. Results showed that safety profiles were largely similar between those who had local manipulation following vaccination and those without. The only significant difference was more frequent local reactions including pain and swelling following the first two doses in both the DTPa and DTPw groups receiving manipulation compared with the groups not receiving manipulation. Serologic tests revealed that local manipulation had no significant effect on antibody response to pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin, and diphtheria and tetanus toxins. The effect of local massage on DTPw was related to the intensity of local massage. Too vigorous a local manipulation caused adverse local reactions and no beneficial effect on antibody response. As for the infants receiving DTPa and local massages for two minutes with hot packing, no significant effect on either the reactogenicity or immunogenicity was found. ref231 M Hernandez-Reif author A Martinez author T Field author O Quintero author S Hart author I Burman author 2000-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0167-482X 2000-Mar 21 1 9 9 Twenty-four women meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM-IV) criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a relaxation therapy group. The massage group showed decreases in anxiety, depressed mood and pain immediately after the first and last massage sessions. The longer term (5 week) effects of massage therapy included a reduction in pain and water retention and overall menstrual distress. However, no long-term changes were observed in the massaged group's activity level or mood. Future studies might examine the effects of a longer massage therapy program on these symptoms. Overall, the findings from this study suggest that massage therapy may be an effective adjunct therapy for treating severe premenstrual symptoms. Hernandez-Reif2000 M Preyde author 2000-Jun-27 text continuing periodical academic journal 0820-3946 2000-Jun-27 162 13 1815 1820 BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of massage therapy for low-back pain has not been documented. This randomized controlled trial compared comprehensive massage therapy (soft-tissue manipulation, remedial exercise and posture education), 2 components of massage therapy and placebo in the treatment of subacute (between 1 week and 8 months) low-back pain. METHODS: Subjects with subacute low-back pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: comprehensive massage therapy (n = 25), soft-tissue manipulation only (n = 25), remedial exercise with posture education only (n = 22) or a placebo of sham laser therapy (n = 26). Each subject received 6 treatments within approximately 1 month. Outcome measures obtained at baseline, after treatment and at 1-month follow-up consisted of the Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (PPI and PRI), the State Anxiety Index and the Modified Schober test (lumbar range of motion). RESULTS: Of the 107 subjects who passed screening, 98 (92%) completed post-treatment tests and 91 (85%) completed follow-up tests. Statistically significant differences were noted after treatment and at follow-up. The comprehensive massage therapy group had improved function (mean RDQ score 1.54 v. 2.86-6.5, p < 0.001), less intense pain (mean PPI score 0.42 v. 1.18-1.75, p < 0.001) and a decrease in the quality of pain (mean PRI score 2.29 v. 4.55-7.71, p = 0.006) compared with the other 3 groups. Clinical significance was evident for the comprehensive massage therapy group and the soft-tissue manipulation group on the measure of function. At 1-month follow-up 63% of subjects in the comprehensive massage therapy group reported no pain as compared with 27% of the soft-tissue manipulation group, 14% of the remedial exercise group and 0% of the sham laser therapy group. INTERPRETATION: Patients with subacute low-back pain were shown to benefit from massage therapy, as regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and delivered by experienced massage therapists. Preyde2000 L Hemphill author J Kemp author 2000-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0029-6465 2000-Jun 35 2 489 497 The ancient practice of massage to promote healing has a place in contemporary health care. This article discusses the implementation of a nurse-run therapeutic massage service at the Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center. Program background, evaluation, future plans, and lessons learned are described. Hemphill2000 L Grealish author A Lomasney author B Whiteman author 2000-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0162-220X 2000-Jun 23 3 237 243 This article describes the findings of an empirical study on the use of foot massage as a nursing intervention in patients hospitalized with cancer. The study was developed from the earlier work of Ferrell-Torry and Glick (1992). In a sample of 87 subjects, a 10-minute foot massage (5 minutes per foot) was found to have a significant immediate effect on the perceptions of pain, nausea, and relaxation when measured with a visual analog scale. The use of foot massage as a complementary method is recommended as a relatively simple nursing intervention for patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the cancer experience. Further research into its effectiveness in the management of these symptoms by the family at home is warranted. Grealish2000 T Field author M Peck author Scd author M Hernandez-Reif author S Krugman author I Burman author L Ozment-Schenck author text continuing periodical academic journal 0273-8481 21 3 189 193 Twenty patients with burn injuries were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a standard treatment control group during the remodeling phase of wound healing. The massage therapy group received a 30-minute massage with cocoa butter to a closed, moderate-sized scar tissue area twice a week for 5 weeks. The massage therapy group reported reduced itching, pain, and anxiety and improved mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions, and their ratings on these measures improved from the first day to the last day of the study. ref236 V Huhtala author L Lehtonen author R Heinonen author H Korvenranta author 2000-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1098-4275 2000-Jun 105 6 E84 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of infant massage compared with that of a crib vibrator in the treatment of infantile colic. METHODS: Infants <7 weeks of age and perceived as colicky by their parents were randomly assigned to an infant massage group (n = 28) or a crib vibrator group (n = 30). Three daily intervention periods were recommended in both groups. Parents recorded infant crying and given interventions in a structured cry diary that was kept for 1 week before (baseline) and for 3 weeks during the intervention. Parents were interviewed after the first and third weeks of intervention to obtain their evaluation of the effectiveness of the given massage or crib vibration. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean amount of total crying was 3.6 (standard deviation: 1.4) hours/day in the massage group infants and 4.2 (2.0) hours/day in the vibrator group infants. The mean amount of colicky crying was 2.1 (standard deviation: 1.1) hours/day and 2.9 (1.5) hours/day, respectively. The mean number of daily intervention periods was 2.2 in both groups. Over the 4-week study, the amount of total and colicky crying decreased significantly in both intervention groups. The reduction in crying was similar in the study groups: total crying decreased by a mean 48% in the massage group and by 47% in the vibrator group, and colicky crying decreased by 64% and 52%, respectively. The amount of other crying (total crying minus colicky crying) remained stable in both groups over the intervention. Ninety-three percent of the parents in both groups reported that colic symptoms decreased over the 3-week intervention, and 61% of the parents in the massage group and 63% of the parents in the crib vibrator group perceived the 3-week intervention as colic reducing. CONCLUSIONS: Infant massage was comparable to the use of a crib vibrator in reducing crying in colicky infants. We suggest that the decrease of total and colicky crying in the present study reflects more the natural course of early infant crying and colic than a specific effect of the interventions. Huhtala2000 D Schmidt author 2000-Apr-19 text continuing periodical academic journal 0949-2321 2000-Apr-19 5 4 157 164 BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of central retinal artery occlusions (CRAO) varies, depending upon the underlying disease. An embolic origin of an occlusion often occurs. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 50-year-old man with an occlusion of the left internal carotid artery was examined because of a left central retinal artery occlusion. Fluorescein angiography revealed that in no blood vessel could any circulation of blood be demonstrated. The slight vascular filling with dye mainly came from collateral circulation at the disc. RESULTS: Ocular massage was carried out. After a delay of several minutes, the vessels of the fundus became increasingly filled with blood. The patient noticed continuing recovery in the vision of his left eye. During fluorescein angiography, carried out one day later, white embolic clots appeared in the arteries of the papilla, some of them moving with the velocity of the blood flow through the retinal vessels and reaching the periphery of the retina and immediately disappearing. Others moved more slowly. This was seen repeatedly over several minutes. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient we have recorded in a fluorescein angiogram bright boluses visible in the blood of the retinal arteries. We suggest that conglomerations of blood cells can also cause an obstruction of blood flow. The observation of this kind of bright clots (boluses) visible in the blood of the retinal arteries we did not find described in the literature. In such a situation ocular massage is extremely helpful. Therefore, ocular massage should be carried out in every patient with CRAO. Schmidt2000 A Vickers author A Ohlsson author J B Lacy author A Horsley author 2000 text continuing periodical academic journal 1469-493X 2000 2 CD000390 BACKGROUND: It has been argued that infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units are subject both to a highly stressful environment - continuous, high-intensity noise and bright light - and to a lack of the tactile stimulation that they would otherwise experience in the womb or in general mothering care. As massage seems to both decrease stress and provide tactile stimulation, it has been recommended as an intervention to promote growth and development of preterm and low-birth weight infants. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preterm and / or low birth-weight infants exposed to massage experience improved weight gain and earlier discharge compared to infants receiving standard care; to determine whether massage has any other beneficial or harmful effects on this population. SEARCH STRATEGY: Databases were searched using the term 'massage', 'touch' or 'tactile stimulation' with 'infant - newborn', 'infant - premature' and 'infant - low birth weight'. The main databases searched were those of the Cochrane Collaboration Field in Complementary Medicine and the Neonatal Collaborative Review Group. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials in which infants with gestational age at birth < 37 weeks or weight at birth < 2500g received systematic tactile stimulation by human hands. At least one outcome assessing weight gain, length of stay, behaviour or development must be reported. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extracted from each trial were baseline characteristics of sample, weight gain, length of stay and behavioural and developmental outcomes. Physiological and biochemical outcomes were not recorded. Data were extracted by three reviewers independently. Statistical analysis was conducted using the standard Cochrane Collaboration methods. MAIN RESULTS: Massage interventions improved daily weight gain by 5g (95% CI 3.5, 6.7g). There is no evidence that gentle, still touch is of benefit (increase in daily weight gain -0.2g; 95% CI -2.4, 1.9g). Massage interventions also appeared to reduce length of stay by 4.6 days (95% CI 2.6, 6.6) though there are methodological concerns about the blinding of this outcome. There was also some evidence that massage interventions have a slight, positive effect on postnatal complications and weight at 4 - 6 months. However, serious concerns about the methodological quality of the included studies, particularly with respect to selective reporting of outcomes, weaken credibility in these findings. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Evidence that massage for preterm infants is of benefit for developmental outcomes is weak and does not warrant wider use of preterm infant massage. Where massage is currently provided by nurses, consideration should be given as to whether this is a cost-effective use of time. Future research should assess the effects of massage interventions on clinical outcome measures, such as medical complications or length of stay, and on process-of-care outcomes, such as care-giver or parental satisfaction. Vickers2000 B Hemmings author M Smith author J Graydon author R Dyson author 2000-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0306-3674 2000-Apr 34 2 109 109 BACKGROUND: Despite massage being widely used by athletes, little scientific evidence exists to confirm the efficacy of massage for promoting both physiological and psychological recovery after exercise and massage effects on performance. AIM: To investigate the effect of massage on perceived recovery and blood lactate removal, and also to examine massage effects on repeated boxing performance. METHODS: Eight amateur boxers completed two performances on a boxing ergometer on two occasions in a counterbalanced design. Boxers initially completed performance 1, after which they received a massage or passive rest intervention. Each boxer then gave perceived recovery ratings before completing a second performance, which was a repeated simulation of the first. Heart rates and blood lactate and glucose levels were also assessed before, during, and after all performances. RESULTS: A repeated measures analysis of variance showed no significant group differences for either performance, although a main effect was found showing a decrement in punching force from performance 1 to performance 2 (p<0.05). A Wilcoxon matched pairs test showed that the massage intervention significantly increased perceptions of recovery (p<0.01) compared with the passive rest intervention. A doubly multivariate multiple analysis of variance showed no differences in blood lactate or glucose following massage or passive rest interventions, although the blood lactate concentration after the second performance was significantly higher following massage (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide some support for the psychological benefits of massage, but raise questions about the benefit of massage for physiological restoration and repeated sports performance. Hemmings2000 M Kolich author S M Taboun author A I Mohamed author 2000 text continuing periodical academic journal 1080-3548 2000 6 1 113 128 This investigation was conducted to determine the effects of a massaging lumbar support system on low back muscle activity. The apparatus included a luxury-level automobile seat, six 10-mm diameter bipolar surface electrodes, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital conversion board, data acquisition software, and a personal computer. Six experimental conditions, each involving a variation of massage time, were considered. The dependent variable was the change in the root mean square variation of the EMG signal. One minute of lumbar massage every 5 min was found to have a beneficial effect on low back muscle activity (as compared to no massage). This may prove to be an extremely important result in the quest to combat low back pain attributable to automobile seating. Kolich2000 K B Lindrea author M C Stainton author text continuing periodical academic journal 0361-929X 25 2 95 99 This article describes a case study of infant massage for a neonate in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Infant massage is grounded in the theory of touch. In an NICU, the infant's tactile experiences can be uncomfortable or painful. This can lead to touch aversion. It is possible that providing pleasurable touch experiences through infant massage can help to develop touch acceptance. It is important to first assess the infant's readiness for massage according to his or her need and response. Infant massage as a complementary therapy in the NICU is demonstrated here in a photo-study of "Nicholas." The initial uncertainty and gradual acceptance by Nicholas of the massage experience is clearly depicted. At the end of the massage, Nicholas was relaxed and asleep in a semi-fetal position. The behavioral change in this infant indicates that he made a transition from touch aversion to touch acceptance. ref242 P van der Riet author S Mackey author 1999-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 1038-5282 1999-Aug 7 3 186 190 This paper, drawing upon data from a Rural Health, Support, Education and Training (RHSET) funded project, focuses on the evaluation of a massage education program developed specifically for rural and remote palliative care workers. An 8 week pilot massage education course was run for palliative care workers in the Albury-Wodonga area and, from this course, an instructional video education package on massage has been developed. The program was evaluated by using a questionnaire, journals and focus group interviews. Feedback from participants was incorporated into both the pilot course and final education package, which was consistent with the action research framework. The major findings of the project were that skill development in the therapeutic use of massage was attained and that job satisfaction was indeed achieved by palliative care workers. van der Riet1999 M Yurtkuran author T Kocagil author 1999 text continuing periodical academic journal 0091-3960 1999 27 3-4 133 140 The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), electroacupuncture (EA), and ice massage with placebo treatment for the treatment of pain. Subjects (n = 100) diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were treated with these modalities. The parameters for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment include pain at rest, stiffness, 50 foot walking time, quadriceps muscle strength, and knee flexion degree. The results showed (a) that all three methods could be effective in decreasing not only pain but also the objective parameters in a short period of time; and (b) that the treatment results in TENS, EA and ice massage were superior to placebo. Yurtkuran1999 Brattberg author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1090-3801 1999-Jun 3 3 235 235 The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of connective tissue massage in the treatment of individuals with fibromyalgia. The results of this random study of 48 individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia (23 in the treatment group and 25 in the reference group) show that a series of 15 treatments with connective tissue massage conveys a pain relieving effect of 37%, reduces depression and the use of analgesics, and positively effects quality of life. The treatment effects appeared gradually during the 10-week treatment period. Three months after the treatment period about 30% of the pain relieving effect was gone, and 6 months after the treatment period pain was back to about 90% of the basic value. As long as there is a lack of effective medical treatment for individuals with fibromyalgia, they ought to be offered treatments with connective tissue massage. However, further studies are needed in the mechanisms behind the treatment effects. Copyright 1999 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Brattberg1999 10.1053/eujp.1999.0123 M Ludwig author I Schroeder-Printzen author G LÃŒdecke author W Weidner author 2000-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 1527-9995 2000-Feb 55 2 175 177 OBJECTIVES: To compare the analysis of urine after prostatic massage (VB3) with expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) to assess the significance of leukocyte analysis in VB3 and to give a first hint of the diagnosis of inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) when EPS cannot be obtained. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-eight men (mean age 38 years, range 18 to 70) with expressible prostatic secretions were investigated. EPS were stained using the Papanicolaou stain and analyzed for leukocytes per high power field (HPF) (x1000). Additionally, identical aliquots of first voided urine (VB1), midstream urine (VB2), and VB3 were centrifuged, stained (Papanicolaou), and analyzed for leukocytes (x400). Patients with increased numbers of leukocytes in VB1 and VB2 (2 or more per x400) were excluded. For statistical analysis, Spearman's correlation coefficient for nonparametric tests was used. RESULTS: Of 180 men with less than 10 leukocytes per HPF in EPS, 178 (98.9%) had less than 10 leukocytes per view field in VB3. In 148 men with 10 or more leukocytes per HPF in EPS, 136 (91.9%) also had elevated leukocyte counts in VB3. The presence of elevated leukocytes in VB3 predicted the presence of increased leukocytes in EPS with a high certainty: 91.9% sensitivity, 98.9% specificity, and 95.7% accuracy, with a positive and negative predictive value of 98.6% and 93.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the determination of leukocytes in VB3 is a feasible and reliable method compared with the analysis of EPS. However, although this association does not directly prove the significance of VB3 in those patients from whom no EPS can be obtained, we suggest this method be taken into account as an indirect indicator in the diagnosis of inflammation. Ludwig2000 S Wilkinson author J Aldridge author I Salmon author E Cain author B Wilson author 1999-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0269-2163 1999-Sep 13 5 409 417 The use of complementary therapies, such as massage and aromatherapy massage, is rising in popularity among patients and healthcare professionals. They are increasingly being used to improve the quality of life of patients, but there is little evidence of their efficacy. This study assessed the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage on cancer patients in a palliative care setting. We studied 103 patients, who were randomly allocated to receive massage using a carrier oil (massage) or massage using a carrier oil plus the Roman chamomile essential oil (aromatherapy massage). Outcome measurements included the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a semi-structured questionnaire, administered 2 weeks postmassage, to explore patients' perceptions of massage. There was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety after each massage on the STAI (P < 0.001), and improved scores on the RSCL: psychological (P < 0.001), quality of life (P < 0.01), severe physical (P < 0.05), and severe psychological (P < 0.05) subscales for the combined aromatherapy and massage group. The aromatherapy group's scores improved on all RSCL subscales at the 1% level of significance or better, except for severely restricted activities. The massage group's scores improved on four RSCL subscales but these improvements did not reach statistical significance. Massage with or without essential oils appears to reduce levels of anxiety. The addition of an essential oil seems to enhance the effect of massage and to improve physical and psychological symptoms, as well as overall quality of life. Wilkinson1999 N A Jones author T Field author 1999 text continuing periodical academic journal 0001-8449 1999 34 135 529 534 EEG asymmetry, specifically greater relative right frontal activation, is associated with negative affect. Depressed adults show stable patterns of this asymmetry. The present study assessed the effects of massage therapy and music therapy on frontal EEG asymmetry in depressed adolescents. Thirty adolescents with greater relative right frontal EEG activation and symptoms of depression were given either massage therapy (n = 14) or music therapy (n = 16). EEG was recorded for three-minute periods before, during, and after therapy. Frontal EEG asymmetry was significantly attenuated during and after the massage and music sessions. Jones1999 M Labrecque author E Eason author S Marcoux author 2000-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0002-9378 2000-Jan 182 1 Pt 1 76 76 OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of perineal massage performed during pregnancy on perineal symptoms 3 months after delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women from 5 hospitals in the province of Quebec, Canada, participated in this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. All participants received oral and written information on the prevention of perineal trauma. Women in the experimental group were taught the perineal massage technique and were asked to perform a 10-minute perineal massage daily from the 34th through 35th weeks of pregnancy until delivery. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on perineal pain, dyspareunia, sexual satisfaction, and incontinence of urine, flatus, and stool at the time of enrollment and 3 months after delivery. RESULTS: Among participants without a previous vaginal birth there were no differences between the massage (n = 283) and the control (n = 289) groups with respect to perineal pain, dyspareunia, sexual satisfaction, and incontinence of urine, gas, or stool 3 months post partum. Among women with a previous vaginal birth more women in the massage group (n = 187) than in the control group (n = 190) were free of perineal pain (93.6% vs 85.8%; P =.01) but the frequencies of dyspareunia and incontinence of urine, gas, or stool were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal massage during pregnancy neither impairs nor substantially protects perineal function at 3 months post partum. Labrecque2000 A KoÅŸar author A OztÃŒrk author T A Serel author S AkkuÅŸ author O S Unal author 1999-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0892-7790 1999-Dec 13 10 705 707 PURPOSE: To determine whether vibration massage influences the results of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in patients with lower caliceal stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred three patients with lower caliceal stones were entered in the study. Patients were divided into two groups that received either SWL alone (Group A, N = 52) or with vibration massage (Group B, N = 51). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in stone size, duration of follow-up, or patient age. The complication, stone-free, and stone recurrence rates of the groups were compared. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the number of shockwaves, number of SWL sessions, or shockwave energy. The renal colic rate was higher in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.03). The stone-free rates in Group A and Group B were 60% and 80%, respectively (P = 0.003). The stone recurrence rate was higher in Group A than in Group B (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study demonstrates that SWL with vibration massage appears to have a beneficial effect on the passage of fragments in patients with lower caliceal stones. KoÅŸar1999 O A Poddubnaia author E F LevitskiÄ­ author E I Beloborodova author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 6 19 19 The study made by the authors has proved that thermovibration massage of infrasound frequency (10 Hz) used as an adjuvant in combined treatment of chronic cholecystitis and opisthorchiasis promotes normalization of motor-evacuatory function of the biliary system and intrahepatic hemodynamics, improves biochemical structure of the bile. This improves overall efficacy of the treatment measures. ref251 P Keenan author 2000-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 1078-6791 2000-Jan 6 1 66 66 This article reviews the most recent literature on touch support and one-to-one support during labor and childbirth. The positive and negative aspects of the traditional birth attendant are presented. Research in one-to-one care and touch support during labor is examined with respect to husband/partner, nurses, nurse-midwives, and doulas (trained labor attendants). According to recent studies, women supported by doulas or midwives benefit by experiencing shorter labors and lower rates of epidural anesthesia and cesarean section deliveries. Also, a smaller percentage of their newborns experience fetal distress and/or are admitted to neonatal intensive care units. Women whose husbands or partners massage them during labor experience shorter labors. Nursing one-to-one support results in no significant obstetric outcomes. Antenatal perineal massage was found to reduce the rates of tears, cesarean section, and instrumental deliveries. Research in perineal massage during labor has shown no benefit. Keenan2000 R D Deidiker author 1999-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0195-7910 1999-Dec 20 4 354 356 A case is reported in which a woman was accidentally strangled when her blouse became entangled in a roller-type electric massage device that she was using to massage the back of her neck. Accidental strangulation in adults, outside of the workplace, is uncommon, and to our knowledge this is the first reported case of a strangulation due to this type of device. The findings of this interesting and unusual case are presented. Deidiker1999 J Katz author A Wowk author D Culp author H Wakeling author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1089-9472 1999-Jun 14 3 128 133 Tension and pain are common occupational hazards of modern-day nursing, especially given recent changes to the health care system. The aims of the pilot study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of carrying out a series of eight 15-minute workplace-based massage treatments, and (2) to determine whether massage therapy reduced pain and stress experienced by nursing staff at a large teaching hospital. Twelve hospital staff (10 registered nurses and 2 nonmedical ward staff) working in a large tertiary care center volunteered to participate. Participants received up to eight, workplace-based, 15-minute Swedish massage treatments provided by registered massage therapists. Pain, tension, relaxation, and the Profile of Mood States were measured before and after each massage session. Pain intensity and tension levels were significantly lower after massage (P < .01). In addition, relaxation levels and overall mood state improved significantly after treatments (P < .01). The results of this pilot study support the feasibility of an eight-session, workplace-based, massage therapy program for pain and tension experienced by nurses working in a large teaching hospital. Further research is warranted to study the efficacy of workplace massage in reducing stress and improving overall mood. Katz1999 M Rowe author D Alfred author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0098-9134 1999-Jun 25 6 22 22 Agitated behaviors of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), often endured or unsuccessfully treated with chemical or physical restraints, markedly increase the stress levels of family caregivers. The Theoretical Model for Aggression in the Cognitively Impaired guided the examination of caregiver-provided slow-stroke massage on the diffusion of actual and potential agitation for community-dwelling individuals with AD. Characteristics and frequency of agitation were quantified by two highly correlated instruments, the Agitated Behavior Rating Scale Scoring Guide and the Brief Behavior Symptom Rating Scale. Expressions of agitation of patients with AD increased in a linear pattern from dawn to dusk. Verbal displays of agitation, the most frequently cited form of agitation in community-dwelling individuals with AD, were not diffused by slow-stroke massage. However, the more physical expressions of agitation such as pacing, wandering, and resisting were decreased when slow-stroke massage was applied. This study contributes to building a body of knowledge regarding the phenomenon of agitated behaviors in cognitively impaired elderly individuals--its nature, frequency of occurrence, measurement, associated factors, and management. Rowe1999 J Hayes author C Cox author 1999-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0964-3397 1999-Apr 15 2 77 77 Critical care can be considered to be a stressful environment at both physiological and psychological levels for patients. In this article, a research study in which a five-minute foot massage was offered to 25 patients (68 sessions in total) as a stress-reduction intervention is described. A quasi-experimental repeated measures design was used to collect data before, during and after the intervention. Physiological data (heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, respirations and peripheral oxygen saturation) were obtained from the patient bedside monitoring system. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated there was no significant effect from the intervention on peripheral oxygen saturation. However, a significant decrease in heart rate, blood pressure and respirations was observed during the foot massage intervention. Results indicated foot massage had the potential effect of increasing relaxation as evidenced by physiological changes during the brief intervention administered to critically ill patients in intensive care. Hayes1999 I Lund author T Lundeberg author M Kurosawa author K UvnÀs-Moberg author 1999-Oct-08 text continuing periodical academic journal 0165-1838 1999-Oct-8 78 1 30 37 The objective of this study was to investigate how sensory stimulation by massage-like stroking influences blood pressure and heart rate in conscious rats. Also, the influence of different locations and durations of the stimulation were assessed. For this purpose, the ventral side of the abdomen or the dorsal side of the back was manually stroked at a speed of approximately 20 cm/s, with a frequency of 0.67 Hz and at an estimated pressure of 100 mm H2O. During the treatment, the rats were held across the scapula and the neck region. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured with the cuff technique before treatment and repeatedly during the post-stimulatory period. Massage-like stroking for 5 min of the abdominal area produced a maximum decrease of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min in heart rate. This reduction remained significant at 3 and 4 h after stimulation, respectively. Stimulation of the abdominal area for 2 min produced a less pronounced decrease in blood pressure as compared to the 5-min stroking. Stroking of the back resulted in a short-lasting blood pressure increase that gradually returned to the baseline level within the post-stimulatory observation time. Control animals that were handled in the same way as the experimental animals except for the stroking showed an increase of approximately 20 mm Hg in blood pressure and 60 beats/min for about 1 h after the cessation of the handling. The responses of the blood pressure and heart rate to both abdominal and back massage were significantly inhibited as compared to the control animals. These results suggest that massage-like stroking of the skin produces an inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular excitatory responses in rats. Especially, the results of the present study demonstrate that massage-like stroking of the abdomen reduces both blood pressure and heart rate below the pre-stimulus baseline levels. Lund1999 M K O'Rourke author L M Fernandez author C N Bittel author J L Sherrill author T S Blackwell author D R Robbins author text continuing periodical academic journal 1053-4245 9 5 471 484 Data entry and management are critical components of all large survey projects; data quality objectives must be met and data must be quickly and readily accessible. We developed a comprehensive system for data entry and management utilizing scannable forms with bubble fields and handwriting recognition. This 'Mass Data Massage' (MDM) system had three components: (1) form creation and database definition; (2) programming of data dictionaries for documentation and preliminary logic and range checks; and (3) data entry, management and documentation using the 'Mass Data Cleaning Program' (MDCP). Scannable forms were written in Teleform, where the data field definition, variable names and ranges were defined as the form was created. Completed forms were returned from the field, subjected to final field quality control (QC) checks, and transferred to the data management section. They were batched and coded as necessary. Once a batch of data was scanned and visually verified, the operator called up the menu for the MDCP. The MDCP had 31 program modules with 500-1200 lines of code each. The operator could select and run the appropriate dictionary on each data batch 'correcting' apparent errors in responses. This process was iterative until the data batch passed all dictionary checks. Proposed 'changes' were forwarded to the data coordinator (DC) for acceptance or rejection. After all errors had been resolved, each data batch was subjected to a 10% quality assurance (QA) check. The original data batch and associated file of applied changes were archived. Time expenditure using the scanning approach varied with the number of questions and the types of responses (handwritten or bubble fields). One-page forms took 42-60% of the time needed for hand entry; forms longer than 10 pages took 35-38% of the time. Use of faster machines will further speed the process. The main advantage of the system was the reduction of systematic errors. Scanning alone reduced errors found on 995 NHEXAS Baseline Questionnaires. Overall, the dictionary identified 0.55% errors on the scanned forms. Ten percent QC checks, performed on corrected batches ready for appendage to the master database, revealed an overall error rate of 0.02%. Similar checks on a laboratory form scanned from numeric handwriting detected 0.3% errors following dictionary application and 0.2% errors during the 10% QA check. This system was faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective than hand entry of data. A batch of data that took >1 week to process using the hand entry method was processed within 1 day using MDM. Human coding of specific answers and the final verification were the most time-consuming processes. ref258 M Morelli author C E Chapman author S J Sullivan author text continuing periodical academic journal 0301-150X 39 7 441 447 Massage is known to produce a reduction in spinal reflex excitability. However, the mechanisms subserving this phenomenon have yet to be elucidated. This study was undertaken to determine the role of superficial cutaneoreceptors overlying the triceps surae during the application of a massage. Twelve neurologically healthy volunteers were subjected to an interrupted repeated measures design consisting of eight conditions. Each condition was comprised of eleven H-reflex recordings obtained from the right soleus muscle. Six conditions served to establish baseline control levels, while the remaining two conditions consisted of reflex recordings obtained simultaneous to the application of the massage. During the first massage condition, subjects were at rest while a three minute petrissage was applied to the right triceps surae muscle group. The second massage condition was always preceded by the application of a topical anaesthetic to abolish the sensation to touch and pin-prick to the skin area that was to be massaged. It was expected that the cutaneous afferents would not play any major role in the changes associated with the application of the massage. H-reflex amplitudes recorded during each massage condition (1.20 mV +/- 0.30 SEM, 1.05 mV +/- 0.23 SEM, respectively) were significantly reduced (F7.77 = 26.048, p < 0.01) in contrast to all control conditions (range: 2.21 to 2.63 mV). However, no difference was observed between the two massage conditions. The inhibitory effects of massage on the soleus H-reflex do not appear to originate from mechanical stimulation of cutaneous mechanoreceptors. It seems more likely that deep mechanoreceptors are involved. ref259 J C Nickel author J Downey author A E Feliciano author B Hennenfent author 1999-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 1079-3259 1999-Sep 5 3 146 151 Patients frustrated with failure of traditional therapy for prostatitis have traveled to the Philippines and elsewhere for repetitive prostatic massage combined with antibiotic therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate prospectively the response of patients who traveled to Manila to undergo this treatment. Twenty-six patients consented and were registered by the Prostatitis Foundation (B.H.) and subsequently evaluated (J.C.N., J.D.) prior to and following treatment (A.E.F.). Evaluation at baseline and after treatment consisted of standardized history and previously validated prostatitis-specific Symptom Frequency Questionnaire (SFQ) and Symptom Severity Index (SSI), International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire, the O'Leary Sexual Function Inventory (SFI), and a Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Treatment in Manila consisted of triweekly prostatic massage combined with specific culture directed and/or empirical antimicrobial therapy for 6 to 12 weeks. Twenty-two patients completed at least one follow-up assessment and 12 patients completed 2-year assessment (average follow-up of 17 months in 22 patients). There was a significant decrease in average symptom severity (SSI) by 4 months that continued for 2 years, but less improvement in symptom frequency (SFQ) and quality of life (QoL), and no significant improvement in voiding symptoms (I-PSS) or sexual function (SFI) at time of last assessment. Forty-six percent of the 22 evaluable patients had >60% decrease (significant improvement) in symptom severity (SSI), whereas 27% had similar significant improvement in frequency of symptoms (SFQ) when last assessed. Thirty-three percent reported marked subjective improvement (SGA) at last evaluation. Of the 12 patients who completed the 2-year follow-up, 5 of the original 26 had a significant and sustainable improvement in objective and subjective measurements of frequency and severity of symptoms. The combination of prostatic massage and antibiotics for treating difficult refractory cases of prostatitis may be promising, but its ultimate value needs to be confirmed. Studies in patients with less refractory and shorter duration disease may allow us to predict who will respond to this therapeutic approach. Nickel1999 T A Ahles author D M Tope author B Pinkson author S Walch author D Hann author M Whedon author B Dain author J E Weiss author L Mills author P M Silberfarb author 1999-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0885-3924 1999-Sep 18 3 157 163 The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of massage therapy on psychological, physical, and psychophysiological measures in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Patients scheduled to undergo BMT were randomly assigned to receive either (a) massage therapy, consisting of 20-minute sessions of shoulder, neck, head, and facial massage, or (b) standard treatment. Overall effects of massage therapy on anxiety, depression, and mood were assessed pretreatment, midtreatment, and prior to discharge using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Brief Profile of Mood States, respectively. The immediate effects of massage were measured via the State Anxiety Inventory, Numerical Scales of Distress, Fatigue, Nausea, and Pain and indices of psychophysiological arousal (heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate), collected prior to and following patients' first, fifth, and final massage (on Days--7, midtreatment, and predischarge). Analysis of the data evaluating the immediate effects of massage showed that patients in the massage therapy group demonstrated significantly larger reductions in distress, fatigue, nausea, and State Anxiety than the standard treatment group at Day-7, in State Anxiety at midtreatment, and in fatigue at the predischarge assessment. The overall measures of psychological symptoms measured at pretreatment, midtreatment, and prior to discharge showed no overall group differences, although the massage group scored significantly lower on the State Anxiety Inventory than the standard care group at the midtreatment assessment. The two groups together showed significant declines through time on scores from the Profile of Mood States and State and Trait Anxiety Inventories. Ahles1999 D L Braverman author R A Schulman author 1999-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 1047-9651 1999-Aug 10 3 631 631 Massage is an ancient practice that has been integrally incorporated into the management of disease and the maintenance of health across cultures and throughout time. This article discusses the history of massage and the present techniques in practice. The presumed therapeutic effects of massage and the scientific basis to support these ideas are examined. Reported contraindications and complications of massage are reviewed. Scientific research and current trends in the therapeutic use of massage are presented. Braverman1999 R Byass author 1999-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1999-Apr 5 2 51 51 The bulk of this paper comprises an audit of the massage service offered to day-care clients at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice. Having had no experience of audit it has been a learning process within which shortcomings of my techniques have become evident. However, during the course of the project, I became enthusiastic about the potential for change, progress and increased validation enabled by the audit process. I realised the significance and importance of audit as an evaluatory tool in relation to complementary and alternative medicine. Still in the earlier stages of acceptance by more orthodox medicine, these therapies require audit, as much as they require quality scientific research. 'Complementary and alternative medical practitioners, teachers and researchers need to understand the advantages of more systematic audit and rigorous research' (Foundation for Integrated Medicine) The objectives of this audit are: To review the performance of the massage in day-care after 2 years of activity. To obtain first hand feedback from clients, staff and carers with a view to introducing improvements. To devise a system of measuring the performance of the day-care service both for comparison internally and with other external hospices. To benefit from the discipline which the audit process itself engenders in complementary medical practice. To lend credibility to the massage service and other complementary therapies in the context of more orthodox palliative care. To arrive at a method of measuring massage as a complementary therapy. To improve communication between the different areas of the hospice. I would encourage other complementary therapists to follow suit and start auditing to help validate the importance of these therapies in today's more holistic approach to health. Byass1999 E Ernst author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1021-7096 1999-Jun 6 3 149 151 Abdominal massage therapy was once an accepted treatment for constipation. Subsequently interest faded, but recent years have seen a revival of interest in massage. It is therefore timely to ask whether or not it is an effective form of treatment for this condition. Computerized literature searches were carried out to retrieve all controlled clinical trials. Data were extracted in a standardized, pre-defined fashion. Four studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. None of the four studies is free of methodological flaws. They are heterogeneous in terms of trial design, patient sample and type of massage used. Nonetheless the results of these trials collectively imply that massage therapy could be a promising treatment for chronic constipation. Future, more rigorous trials should evaluate its true value. Ernst1999 R Werners author P B Pynsent author C J Bulstrode author 1999-Aug-01 text continuing periodical academic journal 0362-2436 1999-Aug-1 24 15 1579 1584 STUDY DESIGN: A randomized trial designed to compare interferential therapy with motorized lumbar traction and massage management for low back pain in a primary care setting. OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare the outcome of interferential therapy and management by motorized lumbar traction and massage. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Management of low back pain by interferential therapy and motorized lumbar traction and massage is common in Germany. No reports of previous randomized trials for the outcome from interferential therapy were found. METHODS: Consenting patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups. A pretreatment interview was performed by the patient using a computer-based questionnaire. It also incorporated the Oswestry Disability Index and a pain visual analog scale. Management consisted of six sessions over a 2- to 3-week period. Oswestry Disability Indexes and pain visual analog scale scores also were obtained immediately after and at 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were recruited. The two treatment groups had similar demographic and clinical baseline characteristics. The mean Oswestry Disability Index before treatment was 30 for both groups (n = 147). After treatment, this had dropped to 25, and, at 3 months, were 21 (interferential therapy) and 22 (motorized lumbar traction and massage). The mean pain visual analog scale score before treatment was 50 (interferential therapy) and 51 (motorized lumbar traction and massage). This had dropped, respectively, to 46 and 44 after treatment and to 42 and 39 at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a progressive fall in Oswestry Disability Index and pain visual analog scale scores in patients with low back pain treated with either-interferential therapy or motorized lumbar traction and massage. There was no difference in the improvement between the two groups at the end of treatment. Although there is evidence from several trials that traction alone is ineffective in the management of low back pain, this study could not exclude some effect from the concomitant massage. Werners1999 J Hulme author H Waterman author V F Hillier author 1999-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 0309-2402 1999-Aug 30 2 460 468 This randomized-controlled study examined the effects of foot massage on patients' perception of care received following surgery. The sample of 59 women who underwent laparoscopic sterilization as day case patients were randomly allocated into two groups. The experimental group received a foot massage and analgesia post-operatively, whilst the control group received only analgesia post-operatively. Each participant was asked to complete a questionnaire on the day following surgery. This examined satisfaction, memory and analgesia taken. The 76% response rate was comparable with other patient satisfaction studies following day-case surgery. Statistical analysis showed no overall significant difference in the pain experienced by the two groups; however, the mean pain scores recorded following surgery showed a significantly different pattern over time, such that the experimental group consistently reported less pain following a foot massage than the control group. This study has attempted to explore the use of foot massage in a systematic way and is therefore a basis for further study. Hulme1999 S Zhu author N Wang author D Wang author M Wang author K Tong author H Xu author J Wang author Q Li author J Peng author 1998-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0254-6272 1998-Dec 18 4 285 291 The TCM therapeutic principle of "eliminating the pathogenic factors by supporting the healthy energy" was adopted in massage to treat and prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection of children. Susceptible and healthy children of the same age were used as controls. As a result, the therapeutic effect of the treatment group is significantly better than that of the controls, with all of the immunologic indexes being approximately normal when the patients were reexamined 3 and 6 months after the massage. Statistically, the difference was significant (P < 0.01). Massage has been proved very helpful in improving the general constitution, enhancing the immune functions, preventing and treating the condition, and in health care as well. Zhu1998 I Fahmy author A Kamal author M Metwali author C Rhodes author R Mansour author G Serour author M Aboulghar author 1999-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 0268-1161 1999-Aug 14 8 2050 2053 A simple, non-invasive method to retrieve spermatozoa from patients with anejaculation is described. Three patients with psychogenic primary anejaculation were referred for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). On the day of oocyte retrieval, vigorous prostatic massage was done. Examination of the expressed prostatic secretion revealed a sufficient number of motile spermatozoa in cases 1 and 3. In case 1, only one poor quality oocyte was obtained and ICSI was unsuccessful. Spermatozoa were cryopreserved for future use. In case 2, no spermatozoa were retrieved by prostatic massage. A testicular biopsy was performed to retrieve spermatozoa for ICSI. Unfortunately no pregnancy resulted. In case 3, retrieved spermatozoa were successfully used for ICSI, and 19 ova were injected. Fertilization occurred in 10 of these; seven were cryopreserved and three embryos were transferred. Ultrasound scan has confirmed a singleton pregnancy, which is ongoing. We conclude that vigorous prostatic massage could be an effective method of sperm retrieval for assisted conception in selected patients with anejaculation. Fahmy1999 K R Wylie author C Jackson author P M Crawford author 1997-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0254-6272 1997-Jun 17 2 130 139 Patients with chronic headache were offered treatment by acupuncture or massage with relaxation instead of a change in their prescribed medication. They were randomly allocated to either treatment. There was a significant improvement in pain ratings with both treatment types. Specifically a greater effect was seen in migraine patients treated by massage with relaxation when compared to acupuncture. No psychological factors were found to predict response to either treatment. At the end of the study, 13% of patients were significantly more worried that there may be a more serious cause underlying their headache despite reassurance and an improvement in their headache scores. Wylie1997 W Lowe author 1999-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0891-0162 1999-Apr 47 4 175 175 1. Complementary and alternative treatments are being used with increasing frequency to treat many cumulative trauma disorders. 2. Orthopedic massage is a system composed of a wide variety of massage treatment methods. 3. Orthopedic massage is an effective method for treating many cumulative trauma disorders. Lowe1999 E Maier author 1999-Jun-01 text continuing periodical academic journal 0933-4548 1999-Jun-1 51 2 75 79 Plantar reflex massage is hardly of any importance to insurance medicine. It however helps to explain the affinity of patients for so-called alternative medicine and its methods. A proof of the effectiveness of the pretended radius of curative properties has never been aspired to nor is it scientifically conceivable. Various aspects combine to create the attraction of the method. Two of these result precisely from its unscientific nature. The effect is to be found in the improvement of the general feeling of well-being. Maier1999 M C Smith author M A Stallings author S Mariner author M Burrall author 1999-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 1078-6791 1999-Jul 5 4 64 64 CONTEXT: Some acute and long-term care facilities are instituting massage therapy programs to support their patients' health, healing, and quality of life. Evaluation of the impact of these programs from the perspective of patients, providers, and therapists is important for administrative decision making and the design of future outcomes research. OBJECTIVE: To uncover and elucidate a range of patient outcomes of a therapeutic massage program within an acute care setting. DESIGN: Descriptive and qualitative evaluation. Surveys and narrative reports were completed by 70 patients, 14 healthcare providers, and 4 massage therapists. SETTING: A large university hospital. PATIENTS: 113 hospitalized patients received 1 to 4 massages during the course of their hospital stay. INTERVENTION: Massage therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Narrative data were coded into 8 categories (pain, sleep, tension/anxiety, body awareness, physical functioning, psychological support, enhancing healing, and value). Selected patient responses were included to elaborate the meanings of these categories. RESULTS: The most frequently identified outcomes were increased relaxation (98%), a sense of well-being (93%), and positive mood change (88%). More than two thirds of patients attributed enhanced mobility, greater energy, increased participation in treatment, and faster recovery to massage therapy. Thirty-five percent stated that benefits lasted more than 1 day. CONCLUSIONS: The study supported the value of this hospital-based massage therapy program and uncovered a range of benefits of massage therapy for hospitalized patients that should be studied further. Smith1999 S Watson author text continuing periodical academic journal 0962-9513 10 10 27 29 Touch has long been an under-valued aspect of care, but more nurses are now bringing its benefits to patients in the form of massage. Sue Watson reviews the literature and discusses how massage can help in the care of infants and children. ref273 J C Nickel author R Alexander author R Anderson author J Krieger author T Moon author D Neal author A Schaeffer author D Shoskes author 1999-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 1079-3259 1999-Mar 5 1 1 1 Repetitive prostatic massage is not a new tool in the urologists' armatarium. Once the most popular therapeutic maneuver used to treat prostatitis, it was abandoned as primary therapy almost 3 decades ago. Based on experience reported outside North America and anecdotal experiences of some patients and their physicians, it may be making a comeback. Unfortunately, there are almost no prospective data that would substantiate a claim as to its effectiveness. This article discusses the historic aspects of prostatic massage, suggests possible mechanisms of action, and describes the opinions of North American urologists who are associated with academic clinical research centers and are universally acknowledged as experts in the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis. At this time, the science of prostatic massage must rely on anecdotal experiences, small, uncontrolled studies, and perhaps somewhat biased opinions of the major thought leaders in the field of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Nickel1999 P M Tiidus author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1066-7814 1999-Jun 24 3 267 278 Although both massage and ultrasound treatment are used in clinical settings to enhance muscle functional recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage, there is a paucity of experimental evidence for their efficacy. Theoretically both massage and ultrasound could affect some physiological factors associated with enhancement of postexercise muscle recovery. However, the actual physiological mechanisms by which massage or ultrasound could influence postexercise muscle damage and repair are unknown. Most experimental evidence suggests that massage has little influence on muscle blood flow, clearance of "noxious" substances, recovery of postexercise muscle strength, or delayed soreness sensation. However, more data is needed before conclusions can be drawn as to the ability of massage to influence postexercise inflammatory response or various other physiological changes that characterize exercise-induced muscle damage and repair. There is even less information on the ability of ultrasound to influence physiological or functional factors associated with postexercise muscle damage. The few experiments that have been done tend to be contradictory and have yet to consider the range of ultrasound treatment parameters for therapeutic effectiveness in treating postexercise damage and influencing repair processes. Much more research is needed to determine whether either treatment modality can have any therapeutic effect on exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery of postexercise muscle function. Tiidus1999 M Hernandez-Reif author T Field author J Krasnegor author E Martinez author M Schwartzman author K Mavunda author 1999-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0146-8693 1999-Apr 24 2 175 181 OBJECTIVE: To measure the effects of parents giving massage therapy to their children with cystic fibrosis to reduce anxiety in parents and their children and to improve the children's mood and peak air flow readings. METHODS: Twenty children (5-12 years old) with cystic fibrosis and their parents were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a reading control group. Parents in the treatment group were instructed and asked to conduct a 20-minute child massage every night at bedtime for one month. Parents in the reading control group were instructed to read for 20 minutes a night with their child for one month. On days 1 and 30, parents and children answered questions relating to present anxiety levels and children answered questions relating to mood, and their peak air flow was measured. RESULTS: Following the first and last massage session, children and parents reported reduced anxiety. Mood and peak air flow readings also improved for children in the massage therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that parents may reduce anxiety levels by massaging their children with cystic fibrosis and their children may benefit from receiving massage by having less anxiety and improved mood, which in turn may facilitate breathing. Hernandez-Reif1999 A M Aksenova author O I Teslenko author O A Boganskaia author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 2 19 19 Unsatisfactory results of ulcer drug medication necessitate introduction of new approaches to treatment of this disease. We tried massage and therapeutic exercise as alternative methods of ulcer treatment as they provide biologically validated ways to mobilization of the body defenses. The results of our studies showed that deep reflex muscular massage and exercises for extension of the skeletal muscles are not inferior in effectiveness in ulcer than routine drug therapy. Therefore, the massage and the exercises are advisable adjuvant modalities in sparing drug medication improving immune status and treatment outcomes in patients with ulcer in exacerbation. ref277 S Marina author F Marina author R Alcolea author J Nadal author M C Pons author M Grossmann author R Expósito author J Vidal author 1999-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0268-1161 1999-Jun 14 6 1546 1548 Spinal cord-injured men with ejaculation disorders can have children thanks to assisted reproduction techniques. Spermatozoa from these patients are usually obtained through vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation or by puncturing the seminal duct or the testicle. We present the first published case, as far as we are aware, of spermatozoa obtained through prostatic massage of a paraplegic patient. Penile vibratory stimulation was unsuccessful in this patient. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with spermatozoa obtained through electroejaculation was performed at another centre but pregnancy was not achieved. Through prostatic massage, we obtained a total semen volume of 6 ml containing a total count of 12.32x10(6) spermatozoa (6.24x10(6) with tails), 8% of which had motility (graded + and ++); and 16% of which had normal morphology. The spermatozoa obtained were then used to perform IVF with ICSI and a triplet pregnancy was achieved. Prostatic massage appears to be an easy, non-traumatic and risk-free method to obtain spermatozoa from paraplegic patients. Marina1999 O Patiño author C Novick author A Merlo author F Benaim author text continuing periodical academic journal 0273-8481 20 3 268 268 Various attempts have been made to intervene with the formation of hypertrophic scarring (HTS) or to ameliorate it once it has developed, but none have yet proved effective. Massage therapy is routinely used by therapists for the treatment of various conditions, and there have been reports of increased scar pliability and decreased scar banding with the use of massage. This study examines the use of friction massage over a 3-month period in a group of 30 pediatric patients with HTS. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either therapeutic massage sessions of 10 minutes per day in combination with treatment with pressure garments or they were treated with pressure garments alone. A modified Vancouver Burn Scar Assessment Scale was used to measure the characteristics of the identified scars (10 cm by 10 cm) before and after the implementation of massage therapy. The study failed to demonstrate any appreciable effects of massage therapy on the vascularity, pliability, and height of the HTS studied, although there were reports of a decrease in pruritis in some patients. Further studies, with prolonged treatment intervals, are necessary to conclusively demonstrate the ineffectiveness of this therapy for HTS. ref279 M Bredin author 1999-May text continuing periodical academic journal 0309-2402 1999-May 29 5 1113 1120 Despite the wealth of literature concerning the impact of breast loss on a woman's body image, sexual and psychological adjustment, there have been few studies within the medical and nursing literature directly quoting a woman's private perspective; how in her words she experiences her changed body. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions for addressing the problem of altered body image (ABI); healthcare professionals often feel at a loss in knowing how to help women cope (Hopwood & Maguire 1988). In this study in-depth interviews were undertaken to explore three women's experiences of breast loss with particular focus on body image issues; a second phase piloted a massage intervention as a means of helping them adjust to living with their changed body image. Listening to their experience, in combination with the therapeutic massage, allowed deep access and insight into the nature of the women's trauma. The experiences of the three women in this study suggest there may be a group of women whose needs are overlooked and who, despite their prosthesis and reassurances that they are disease-free, opt to conceal the problems they have in living with a changed image. The availability of a body-centred therapy might help with certain aspects of adjustment as revealed by this study. Bredin1999 G W Bell author 1999-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0278-5919 1999-Apr 18 2 427 427 Athletic trainers are continually bombarded with requests to assist aquatic athletes with the management of musculoskeletal concerns involved with training and overtraining. The trainer has options for initial training management through the administration of massage, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, and injury-preventative strengthening exercises. This article describes and illustrates athletic training techniques such as massage, cryotherapy or cold applications, thermotherapy or heat applications, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation or strengthening exercise. Bell1999 S P Weinrich author S Haddock author K Robinson author text continuing periodical academic journal 0966-0461 8 3 159 164 Growing recognition of the importance of holistic nursing interventions is resulting in a revival in the use of therapeutic massage. Massage contributes to health and healing through enhancement of relaxation, and is a safe, caring, and inexpensive intervention. Therapeutic massage research using older populations is reviewed for identification of its theoretical framework, design, outcome variables, sample, procedures, instruments, analyses and results. To establish a scientific basis for therapeutic massage in the future, it is critical that nurses include the following key elements in their research studies: clear definitions: procedures for massage that include type(s) of massage performed, part of body massaged, and length of time of massage; and analyses that control for the pre-massage level of the variable of interest. Research variables need to focus on concepts that have major health consequences such as agitation, immune status, and pain. ref282 H Takeuchi author M S Jawad author R Eccles author text continuing periodical academic journal 1050-6586 13 2 77 79 The aim of our study was to determine whether nasal massage of the "yingxiang" acupuncture point in patients with nasal congestion had any effect on nasal airway resistance (NAR) measured by posterior rhinomanometry and sensation of nasal airflow measured on a visual analog scale (VAS). Twenty patients were randomized into two groups; one group self massaged the yingxiang point for 30 seconds, while the other group acted as control group without nasal massage. NAR and VAS were measured at baseline, and at 2 and 10 minutes after massage. At the end of the study, patients were asked to score any change in their nasal congestion. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in percentage change in NAR or VAS from baseline at any time during the study, although the massage group showed trends toward decongestion and relief from congestion. At the end of the study, more patients in the massage group than the control group felt their nasal congestion was improved (p < 0.005). It is interesting that all three measures (NAR, VAS, and end question) showed that the nasal massage group had greater relief from nasal congestion than the control group. The results of this study, when taken together, indicate that nasal massage may provide some relief from nasal congestion and that further studies involving a larger patient population are warranted to determine whether nasal massage has a significant effect on NAR. ref283 T Field author M Hernandez-Reif author S Hart author H Theakston author S Schanberg author C Kuhn author 1999-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0167-482X 1999-Mar 20 1 31 38 Twenty-six pregnant women were assigned to a massage therapy or a relaxation therapy group for 5 weeks. The therapies consisted of 20-min sessions twice a week. Both groups reported feeling less anxious after the first session and less leg pain after the first and last session. Only the massage therapy group, however, reported reduced anxiety, improved mood, better sleep and less back pain by the last day of the study. In addition, urinary stress hormone levels (norepinephrine) decreased for the massage therapy group and the women had fewer complications during labor and their infants had fewer postnatal complications (e.g., less prematurity). Field1999 A Falkenbach author E Blumenthal author M BÃŒhring author 1998-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0308-0110 1998-Sep 32 5 514 516 Massage courses for medical students have been held at Frankfurt University Medical School since 1987. To evaluate the motives for participation and to record possible changes in the attitude towards massage therapy, the students were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire in 1990, 1993 and 1995/96. The results show that the motive for participation and the attitude towards massage therapy remained widely unchanged during these years. Summarizing all data (n = 199) the motives for participation were: (1) to practise massage therapy (86%), (2) to be better able to (later) prescribe massage therapy (66%), (3) to improve palpation skills (75%), (4) to do 'something practical' (56%), and (5) to (later) practise massage therapy as a medical doctor (23%). On average, the proportion of theory and practical instruction of 1:3.2 was considered suitable. Falkenbach1998 S L Dryden author S D Holden author P A Mackereth author 1998-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1998-Dec 4 6 156 159 The purpose of these papers is to describe and discuss the piloting and evaluation of an inpatient complementary therapy service. This was a single site case study without a control group and involving practitioners themselves collecting data, recording reflections on their own practice and engaging in monthly clinical supervision sessions. The service was aimed at providing treatments of hand and foot massage incorporating reflexology techniques for a total of 18 patients. In part 2 of this paper, an evaluation of the project will be presented including the findings of this pilot service from the perspective of both the patients and practitioners, and the analysis of some of the physiological data collected. Part 3 will focus on a subgroup of the patient cohort to illuminate the experience from both patient and practitioner perspective. Dryden1998 T J Doering author H G Fieguth author B Steuernagel author J Brix author M Konitzer author B Schneider author G C Fischer author text continuing periodical academic journal 0894-9115 78 2 108 110 Manual vibratory massage is part of the preventive physiotherapeutic activities performed in intensive care units. The vibratory massage can be performed manually or as electrovibratory massage. The manual massage is a fast rhythmical vibration performed by the arm and shoulder muscles of the masseur and transferred to the patient's thorax by the hand. The hand of the masseur has to achieve a tremor with a frequency of 8 to 11 tremors/s. The aim of the pilot study was to examine the influence of manual vibratory massage on the pulmonary function of postoperative patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation, with special interest being focused on pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and cerebral blood flow velocity. Manual vibratory massage was performed postoperatively in the intensive care unit on eight patients: three patients had undergone heart transplantation, three had undergone lung transplantation, and two had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (mean age, 53.6+/-8 yr). With the aid of continuous monitoring, we examined the changes of the respiration parameters and the cerebral blood flow velocity (measured by transcranial Doppler sonography). The vibratory massage was performed with a frequency of 8 to 10 vibrations/s for 15 min, 7.5 min on each side of the thorax, starting from the lower costal arch and progressing to the upper thoracic aperture. For 10 min before, during, and 10 min after the massage, the parameters of peripheral oxygen saturation, central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, lung resistance and compliance, tidal volume, respiration rate, and cerebral blood flow velocity were recorded at 2-min intervals. Moreover, before and after vibratory massage, arterial blood gases were determined. In four of the eight patients, it was possible to determine pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, as well as pulmonary vascular resistance. During the vibratory massage, we could prove a significant increase of the mean tidal volume by 30% (P = 0.008). The percutaneous oxygen saturation significantly increased also, from 92 to 93.6% (P = 0.002). Central venous pressure significantly decreased by 11% (P = 0.04), and pulmonary vessel resistance was reduced by 18.3% (P = 0.001). The pulmonary resistance decreased from 10.5 to 9.2 H2O/l/s (P < 0.05) by the end of the observation period. Cerebral blood flow velocity showed no significant change. Vibratory massage seems to improve pulmonary mechanism and perfusion, thus, reducing ventilation perfusion mismatch and increasing oxygen saturation. ref287 A Kesselring author 1999-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 1021-7096 1999-Feb 6 Suppl 1 38 38 The aim of the study was to investigate the possible usefulness of foot reflexology on the recovery after a surgical intervention. 130 patients participated in the study. They underwent abdominal surgery under full anesthesia for different, but exclusively gynecological reasons. Foot reflexology investigated in this study was applied only for a few days for each patient. The following parameters were recorded: the subjective, self-assessed, general condition, pain intensity, movement of the bowels, micturition and sleep, beginning on the day before operation until day 10. Two other treatments served as controls, a simple massage of the foot or a personal conversation. The simple massage turned out to be a relaxing, positive experience, whereas foot reflexology had various effects, some of them were even negative. The conclusion was that foot reflexology is not recommended for acute, abdominal postsurgical situations in gynecology because it can occasionally trigger abdominal pain. This project is one of the few studies planned, conducted and performed by the nursing staff. Kesselring1999 M Labrecque author E Eason author S Marcoux author F Lemieux author J J Pinault author P Feldman author L LaperriÚre author 1999-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0002-9378 1999-Mar 180 3 Pt 1 593 593 OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of perineal massage during pregnancy for the prevention of perineal trauma at birth.Study Design: Pregnant women with (n = 493) and without (n = 1034) a previous vaginal birth from 5 hospitals in the province of Québec, Canada, participated in this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. All participants received oral and written information on the prevention of perineal trauma. Women in the experimental groups were requested to perform a 10-minute perineal massage daily from the 34th or 35th week of pregnancy until delivery. RESULTS: Among participants without a previous vaginal birth, 24.3% (100/411) from the perineal massage group and 15.1% (63/417) from the control group were delivered vaginally with an intact perineum, for a 9.2% absolute difference (95% confidence interval 3.8%-14.6%). The incidence of delivery with an intact perineum increased with compliance with regular practice of perineal massage (chi2 for trend 13.2, P = 0.0003). Among women with a previous vaginal birth, 34.9% (82/235) and 32.4% (78/241) in the massage and control groups, respectively, were delivered with an intact perineum, for an absolute difference of 2.5% (95% confidence interval -6.0% to 11.0%). There were no differences between the groups in the frequency of sutured vulvar and vaginal tears, women's sense of control, and satisfaction with the delivery experience. CONCLUSION: Perineal massage is an effective approach to increasing the chance of delivery with an intact perineum for women with a first vaginal delivery but not for women with a previous vaginal birth. Labrecque1999 S Hobbs author P D Davies author 1998-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1998-Apr 4 2 35 35 Complementary therapies comprise only a fraction of nursing care, yet it is interesting that their use is being considered by an ever-increasing number of nurses. Within the Rhondda NHS Trust, holistic massage therapy is offered to patients both in hospital and in the community, nurses and occupational therapists successfully combining their massage skills with everyday patient care. During the process of devising a research protocol for implementation within the Trust, certain questions began to emerge to which there were no answers. The attempt to answer them is the origin of this paper, which explores some commonly experienced difficulties with reference to the literature and puts forward merits of adapting current methodology to investigate the benefits of massage therapy. Hobbs1998 M R Makarova author O F Kuznetsov author L P Markina author S A Gusarova author E M Stiazhkina author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 6 45 48 74 patients with chronic salpingo-oophoritis (CS) in remission were assessed as to effects of classic massage of the uterine and epoöphoronic reflexogenic zones on clinical pattern of the disease, bioelectric activity of the abdominal muscles, spine and pelvis, blood coagulation. The combined massage produced a more potent effect on electric activity of the above muscles and blood coagulation than massage on a single area. It is better to start massage from the abdomen and continue in the lumbosacral area. ref291 A M Aksenova author M M Romanova author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 6 24 26 Compared to conventional treatment, the proposed method of deep reflex muscular massage for treatment of ulcer patients with associated diseases in combination with exercises for muscle strain, produce stronger positive changes in adaptive-compensatory systems. This may result in prolongation of the remission and in a decreased number of recurrences of ulcer and associated gastrointestinal diseases. ref292 M Hernandez-Reif author T Field author S Hart author 1999-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0091-7435 1999-Jan 28 1 28 28 BACKGROUND: Attempts at smoking cessation have been correlated with severe withdrawal symptoms, including intense cigarette cravings, anxiety, and depressed mood. Massage therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress hormones and improve mood. METHOD: Twenty adult smokers (M age = 32.6) were randomly assigned to a self-massage treatment or a control group. The treatment group was taught to conduct a hand or ear self-massage during three cravings a day for 1 month. RESULTS: Self-reports revealed lower anxiety scores, improved mood, and fewer withdrawal symptoms. In addition, the self-massage group smoked fewer cigarettes per day by the last week of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that self-massage may be an effective adjunct treatment for adults attempting smoking cessation to alleviate smoking-related anxiety, reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. Hernandez-Reif1999 E Ernst author 1999-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0885-3924 1999-Jan 17 1 65 69 Massage therapy is frequently employed for low back pain (LBP). The aim of this systematic review was to find the evidence for or against its efficacy in this indication. Four randomized clinical trials were located in which massage was tested as a monotherapy for LBP. All were burdened with major methodological flaws. One of these studies suggests that massage is superior to no treatment. Two trials imply that it is equally effective as spinal manipulation or transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES). One study suggests that it is less effective than spinal manipulation. It is concluded that too few trials of massage therapy exist for a reliable evaluation of its efficacy. Massage seems to have some potential as a therapy for LBP. More investigations of this subject are urgently needed. Ernst1999 S A Gusarova author O F Kuznetsov author F E Gorbunov author S G Maslovskaia author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 5 7 7 Clinical and instrumental studies have revealed differences in effects of nerve ending and classic massage on hemodynamics in 41 patients early after transitory ischemic attacks in the vertebrobasilar area. Point massage produced more potent vasotropic effect, contraindications to it are minimal. It can be considered as a pathogenetic therapy aimed at correction of cerebral circulation in patients with vertebrobasilar area applicable early after acute cerebrovascular episodes. ref295 T M Field author 1998-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0003-066X 1998-Dec 53 12 1270 1281 Massage therapy is older than recorded time, and rubbing was the primary form of medicine until the pharmaceutical revolution of the 1940s. Popularized again as part of the alternative medicine movement, massage therapy has recently received empirical support for facilitating growth, reducing pain, increasing alertness, diminishing depression, and enhancing immune function. In this article studies are reviewed that document these effects, and models are proposed for potential underlying mechanisms. Field1998 Jensen author Gustafsson author Augustsson author 1998-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0003-3472 1998-Apr 55 4 779 786 After milk ejection, piglets spend several minutes massaging their own teats on the sow. We examined whether this behaviour could be a mammalian counterpart to begging in young birds, and hence be explained by theories of honest begging. In one experiment, the behaviour of piglets was examined in relation to their previous milk intake. In each of 16 litters, one focal piglet was exposed to three treatments for three consecutive sucklings: 'no milk', where the piglet was withheld from the teat during milk ejection; 'extra milk', where it was fed 10 ml of extra milk directly after milk ejection; and 'control', when it received its normal intake. Average massage duration in the next three sucklings was significantly longer in the 'no milk' than in the control piglets. 'No milk' pigs massaged more intensely (number of massage movements/min), were more persistent in attempting to maintain udder contact and spent less time away from the udder. However, there were no significant differences between 'control' and 'extra milk' treatments. In a second experiment, in which we manually massaged teats for 0, 3 or 10 min, we found no significant effect of massage duration on milk output (measured by weighing piglets before and after milk ejection), although massage tended to increase output. We conclude that post-sucking massage in piglets has a number of aspects similar to honest begging in birds. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Jensen1998 O Kristof author M Schlumpf author R Saller author 1998-Oct-20 text continuing periodical academic journal 0015-8178 1998-Oct-20 116 29 50 54 Reflexology is a frequently used method of complementary medicine. This review deals with history, theory and practise of this technique. Furthermore, results of the published clinical trials are discussed. Kristof1998 T Field author S Schanberg author C Kuhn author K Fierro author T Henteleff author C Mueller author R Yando author S Shaw author I Burman author 1998 text continuing periodical academic journal 0001-8449 1998 33 131 555 563 Twenty-four female adolescent bulimic inpatients were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a standard treatment (control) group. Results indicated that the massaged patients showed immediate reductions (both self-report and behavior observation) in anxiety and depression. In addition, by the last day of the therapy, they had lower depression scores, lower cortisol (stress) levels, higher dopamine levels, and showed improvement on several other psychological and behavioral measures. These findings suggest that massage therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment for bulimia. Field1998 J E Beeken author D Parks author J Cory author G Montopoli author 1998-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 1054-7738 1998-Aug 7 3 309 325 The purpose was to examine neuromuscular release massage therapy (NRMT) as an intervention for individuals with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) to improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life. Variables measured were thoracic gas volume, peak flow, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, and quality of life to determine if improvement occurred with 24 weekly treatments of NRMT. Four of five participants had an increase in thoracic gas volume, peak flow, and FVC. Paired differences t test resulted in significant changes in heart rate, oxygen saturation, and time of breath hold. Repeated measured analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction between participant and time for heart rate, oxygen saturation, and systolic blood pressure. The results suggest that individuals with COLD do benefit from NRMT, but the exact physiological mechanism for the changes warrants additional study. Beeken1998 J H Shi author J R Cao author J M Fu author 1997-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 1003-5370 1997-Feb 17 2 79 79 OBJECTIVE: To observe whether the gas exchange is sufficient for the requirement of body when the patient was prone in position and pressed in the course of massage under intravenous anesthesia with sodium pentothal (SP) for the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse. METHODS: The oxygen would not be given to the patients whose heart and lung functions were good during the course of anesthesia and massage, respiratory function and blood gas analysis were studied on 20 patients selected randomly. RESULTS: Tidal volume was smaller and respiratory rate was faster than normal respiration. Saturation pulse oxygen was still normal in all patients. There were no significant changes in blood gas analysis before spinal injection and after massage (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The pressing could attain the action of artificial respiration. The respiration pattern was similar to high frequency positive pressure ventilation. The action of vibration and diffusion had normal respiratory effect. Shi1997 L Schachner author T Field author M Hernandez-Reif author A M Duarte author J Krasnegor author text continuing periodical academic journal 0736-8046 15 5 390 395 Young children with atopic dermatitis were treated with standard topical care and massaged by their parents for 20 minutes daily for a 1 month period. A control group received standard topical care only. The children's affect and activity level significantly improved, and their parent's anxiety decreased immediately after the massage therapy sessions. Over the 1 month period, parents of massaged children reported lower anxiety levels in their children, and the children improved significantly on all clinical measures including redness, scaling, lichenification, excoriation, and pruritus. The control group only improved significantly on the scaling measure. These data suggest that massage therapy may be a cost-effective adjunct treatment for atopic dermatitis, since there is a one-time expense of $30 for the child to receive the massage and the parent to learn the technique. ref302 E Ernst author 1998-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0306-3674 1998-Sep 32 3 212 214 BACKGROUND: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a frequent problem after unaccustomed exercise. No universally accepted treatment exists. Massage therapy is often recommended for this condition but uncertainty exists about its effectiveness. AIM: To determine whether post-exercise massage alleviates the symptoms of DOMS after a bout of strenuous exercise. METHOD: Various computerised literature searches were carried out and located seven controlled trials. RESULTS: Most of the trials were burdened with serious methodological flaws, and their results are far from uniform. However, most suggest that post-exercise massage may alleviate symptoms of DOMS. CONCLUSIONS: Massage therapy may be a promising treatment for DOMS. Definitive studies are warranted. Ernst1998 S Mackey author 1998-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 1037-6178 1998-Mar 7 1 18 18 The process of reflection can be used by nurse educators to more fully understand the nature of nursing practice and to actively use that understanding to bring about change through education. This paper documents a process of reflection carried out by a nurse educator within an action research project. The project was intended to assist palliative care nurses to learn the skill of massage and successfully integrate this therapy into their practice. Reflection takes place before the action to achieve change is implemented, in order to identify factors which will affect the development and implementation of the project. The reflection includes discussion of methodological issues, consideration of the influence of massage and holism in nursing practice and the influence of practice and institutional factors on palliative care nursing. Mackey1998 A N Gam author S Warming author L H Larsen author B Jensen author O HÞydalsmo author I Allon author B Andersen author N E GÞtzsche author M Petersen author B Mathiesen author 1998-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 0304-3959 1998-Jul 77 1 73 79 The effect of treatment with ultrasound, massage and exercises on myofascial trigger-points (MTrP) in the neck and shoulder was assessed in a randomised controlled trial. The outcome measures were pain at rest and on daily function (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), analgesic usage, global preference and index of MTrP. Long-term effect for treatment and control groups was assessed after 6 months using a questionnaire. The patients were randomised to three groups. The first group was treated with ultrasound, massage and exercise (A), the second group with sham-ultrasound, massage and exercise (B), while the third group was a control group (C). The duration of the study was 6 weeks. Treatment was given twice a week from the second to the fifth week. The number and index of MTrPs were recorded at each treatment session in groups A and B but only at entry as well as end of study in group C. VAS and analgesic usage was recorded in all three groups throughout the study period. Six months after the last treatment session a questionnaire was send to the patients. A total of 67 patients were included. Nine patients dropped-out during the study, which left 58 patients that could be included in the final analysis. Twenty patients were randomised to group A, 18 to group B and 18 to group C. A significant reduction in index were found between treatment groups (A and B) and control group (C), but no difference between group A and B. VAS scores, analgesic usage or global preference showed no difference between group A, B or C. The patients in the group C were offered treatment (ultrasound, massage, exercise) after the 6 weeks treatment period. At the questionnaire after 6 month 44 (87%) of the 52 patients from all three groups who had treatment responded. Sixty-four percent answered that they had had good or some effects, 68 percent were still doing the exercise programme and 17 percent had received other forms of therapy after they had completed the study. No difference between groups given ultrasound or sham ultrasound were found. It is concluded that US give no pain reduction, but apparently massage and exercise reduces the number and intensity of MTrP. The impact of this reduction on neck and shoulder pain is weak. Gam1998 V S Trubetskoy author K R Whiteman author V P Torchilin author G L Wolf author 1998-Jan-02 text continuing periodical academic journal 0168-3659 1998-Jan-2 50 1-3 13 19 Liposome-based, externally regulated drug delivery system is described in which liposome-encapsulated bioactive molecules can be delivered into the blood in response to simple mechanical action. Without any mechanical stimulation, subcutaneously injected 200 mm liposomes are usually trapped in the interstitial for prolonged time. However, upon lymphotropic stimulation (such as manual massage of the injection site), the liposomes can be mobilized into the blood via lymphatic pathway. Up to 40% of the injection dose can be delivered to the blood via lymphatic pathway from the injection site at the rabbit's front paw dorsum during 5 min manual massage cycle. Using vasoconstricting hormone angiotensin II as liposome-encapsulated pharmacological marker, we demonstrated that physiological response to encapsulated drug (average blood pressure increase) can also induced and modulated by massage. Massage itself was found to have no effect on the blood pressure. Modification of liposome surface with polyethylene glycol was found to increase blood localization of the liposome-encapsulated drug presumably due to decreasing the uptake of the drug carrier by lymph node macrophages. Pressure-dependent gaps between lymphatic capillary endothelial cells are thought to play the role of the size discrimination device allowing larger particulates into the lymphatics and, eventually into the blood after increase of interstitial pressure caused by injection site massage. Trubetskoy1998 C Howdyshell author 1998 text continuing periodical academic journal 0742-969X 1998 13 3 69 69 The medical profession in America would benefit from including aromatherapy with massage in its care of elderly and hospice patients. The appropriate use of these modalities will enhance the quality of patient care and will compliment conventional treatment regimens. Currently, the medical profession in America treats the pathophysiological diseases of patients, but falls short in treating their emotional needs. Aromatherapy and massage can be used to fill this gap, as well as to improve the patient's response to traditional treatment routines. While there is an abundance of literature extolling the use of essential oils, the articles reflect subjective, individual findings and don't account for the multitude of influencing environmental factors which would include such things as the patient's degree of pain, personality of the person administering care and that of the patient, or even the temperature of the room itself. Further research needs to be made so that scientific, qualitative measurements can be proven and documented. Howdyshell1998 K C Richards author 1998-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 1062-3264 1998-Jul 7 4 288 299 BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are deprived of sleep and its potential healing qualities, although many receive medications to promote sleep. No one has adequately evaluated holistic nonpharmacological techniques designed to promote sleep in critical care practice. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of (1) a back massage and (2) combined muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and a music audiotape on the sleep of older men with a cardiovascular illness who were hospitalized in a critical care unit. METHODS: Sixty-nine subjects were randomly assigned to a 6-minute back massage (n=24); a teaching session on relaxation and a 7.5-minute audiotape at bedtime consisting of muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and relaxing background music (n=28); or the usual nursing care (controls, n=17). Polysomnography was used to measure 1 night of sleep for each patients. Sleep efficiency index was the primary variable of interest. One-way analysis of variance was used to test for difference in the index among the 3 groups. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics showed improved quality of sleep among the back-massage group. Initial analysis showed a significant difference among the 3 groups in sleep efficiency index. Post hoc testing with the Duncan procedure indicated a significant difference between the back-massage group and the control group; patients in the back-massage group slept more than 1 hour long than patients in the control group. However, the variance was significantly different among the 3 groups, and reanalysis of data with only 17 subjects in each group revealed no difference among groups (P=.06). CONCLUSIONS: Back massage is useful for promoting sleep in critically ill older men. Richards1998 O F Kuznetsov author M R Makarova author L P Markina author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 2 20 23 Massotherapy in different regimens has been used in 30 patients in remission of chronic salpingo-oophoritis (CSO). The massage produced positive changes in blood coagulation, immune status, regional hemodynamics of the small pelvis, bioelectric activity of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and lumbosacral region. A strong anesthetic and antiinflammatory effect of intensive massage in 78%, recovered reproductive function in 33% of the patients allow to recommend intensive massage as possible monotherapy of patients in remission of CSO. ref309 T Field author M Peck author S Krugman author T Tuchel author S Schanberg author C Kuhn author I Burman author text continuing periodical academic journal 0273-8481 19 3 241 244 Twenty-eight adult patients with burns were randomly assigned before debridement to either a massage therapy group or a standard treatment control group. State anxiety and cortisol levels decreased, and behavior ratings of state, activity, vocalizations, and anxiety improved after the massage therapy sessions on the first and last days of treatment. Longer-term effects were also significantly better for the massage therapy group including decreases in depression and anger, and decreased pain on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Present Pain Intensity scale, and Visual Analogue Scale. Although the underlying mechanisms are not known, these data suggest that debridement sessions were less painful after the massage therapy sessions due to a reduction in anxiety, and that the clinical course was probably enhanced as the result of a reduction in pain, anger, and depression. ref310 M J Verhoef author S A Page author 1998-May text continuing periodical academic journal 0008-350X 1998-May 44 1018 1018 OBJECTIVE: To examine the knowledge, opinions, and referral behaviour of family physicians with respect to massage therapy and to explore factors associated with referral. DESIGN: A random, cross-sectional mailed survey. SETTING: Alberta family practices. PARTICIPANTS: Family physicians (n = 300). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A self-report survey was developed for the study. This survey contained questions about sociodemographic and practice characteristics, perceived knowledge of massage therapy, opinions about the usefulness and legislation (government regulations) of massage therapy, and referral behaviour. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of physicians (n = 161) completed the questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent of respondents indicated they had minimal or no knowledge of massage therapy. Despite this low level of knowledge, most (83%) believed massage therapy was a useful adjunct to their own practice. Moreover, 71% had referred patients to massage therapists and most (72%) perceived increasing demand from their patients for massage therapy. Approximately half of physicians surveyed supported government regulation of massage therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians demonstrated a discrepancy between their knowledge of massage therapy and their opinions of, and referrals to, the profession. Physicians who referred patients to massage therapists generally held more positive opinions and had more knowledge of the discipline. Verhoef1998 T Field author T Henteleff author M Hernandez-Reif author E Martinez author K Mavunda author C Kuhn author S Schanberg author 1998-May text continuing periodical academic journal 0022-3476 1998-May 132 5 854 858 Thirty-two children with asthma (16 4- to 8-year-olds and 16 9- to 14-year-olds) were randomly assigned to receive either massage therapy or relaxation therapy. The children's parents were taught to provide one therapy or the other for 20 minutes before bedtime each night for 30 days. The younger children who received massage therapy showed an immediate decrease in behavioral anxiety and cortisol levels after massage. Also, their attitude toward asthma and their peak air flow and other pulmonary functions improved over the course of the study. The older children who received massage therapy reported lower anxiety after the massage. Their attitude toward asthma also improved over the study, but only one measure of pulmonary function (forced expiratory flow 25% to 75%) improved. The reason for the smaller therapeutic benefit in the older children is unknown; however, it appears that daily massage improves airway caliber and control of asthma. Field1998 T M Field author O Quintino author M Hernandez-Reif author G Koslovsky author 1998 text continuing periodical academic journal 0001-8449 1998 33 129 103 108 Twenty-eight adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were provided either massage therapy or relaxation therapy for 10 consecutive school days. The massage therapy group, but not the relaxation therapy group, rated themselves as happier and observers rated them as fidgeting less following the sessions. After the 2-week period, their teachers reported more time on task and assigned them lower hyperactivity scores based on classroom behavior. Field1998 M Morelli author S J Sullivan author C E Chapman author 1998-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0301-150X 1998-Mar 38 2 87 87 It has previously been reported that the soleus Hoffmann (H-)reflex is diminished in amplitude during a massage of the ipsilateral triceps surae. A question arises as to the origin of this decrease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether massage does indeed diminish motoneuronal excitability or whether the decrease is an artefact associated with the experimental procedures, i.e. saturation of the transmission capacity of the afferent pathway. H-reflexes and the corresponding muscle (m-)responses were recorded from the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle during a 3-minute massage of the ipsilateral soleus muscle in 12 neurologically healthy adults during 4 control conditions (C1, C2, C4, C5) and 1 experimental (C3-massage) condition. Peak-to-peak mean amplitudes of the MG H-reflex obtained during massage were significantly reduced in comparison to all control values recorded while the subjects were at rest. These results suggest that massage does indeed diminish motoneuronal excitability, since these effects were not restricted to the homonymous motoneurone pool, but could also be demonstrated for a close synergistic muscle, uninvolved in the massage. Morelli1998 J E Zemke author J C Andersen author W K Guion author J McMillan author A B Joyner author 1998-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0190-6011 1998-Apr 27 4 301 307 Cryotherapy is often used to affect the muscle underlying skin and subcutaneous tissues. However, the relationship between the penetrative ability of various cryotherapy methods and treatment time is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this study was to measure muscle temperature responses during two frequently used cryotherapy techniques. A 23-gauge hypodermic needle microprobe was inserted to one-half skin-fold thickness plus 1 cm into the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius muscle of 14 subjects. Two groups of seven subjects each were measured for temperature changes during ice bag or ice massage treatment. Each treatment consisted of a 15-minute application of the selected method. A significant difference between the two methods was observed (t = -2,157, p < or = 0.05). Ice massage achieved its lowest temperature in an average of 17.9 +/- 2.4 minutes, while ice bag reached its lowest temperature in 28.2 +/- 12.5 minutes. Ice massage appears to cool muscle more rapidly than ice bag. Zemke1998 B R Hennenfent author A E Feliciano author 1998-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0007-1331 1998-Mar 81 3 370 376 OBJECTIVE: To report changes in the white blood cell (WBC) counts in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) in men with pelvic symptoms undergoing thrice-weekly prostatic massage combined with antimicrobial therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a retrospective analysis of the records of 35 patients (mean age 45.3 years, range 28-70, SD, 12.03) with pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, obstructive urinary symptoms, irritative urinary symptoms, or sexual dysfunction, who had undergone the same diagnosis and treatment protocol in a genitourinary clinic in Manila, Philippines, from September 1992 to September 1995. RESULTS: EPS were obtained 347 times in 35 patients (median 9 times per patient, range 6-16). In 26 of the 35 (74%) patients the WBC count in the EPS was < 10 per oil-immersion field (OIF, x1000) at the first prostatic massage. In 34 of 35 (97%) patients the WBC count rose to > or = 10 as prostatic massage continued on a thrice-weekly schedule. The mean (range, SD) initial WBC count in the EPS was 8.4 (1-48, 8.43) and the maximum was 40.9 (6-60, 19.05); the difference between these values was 32.5 (3-57, 18.78; 95% confidence interval 26.1-40.1) and the difference was statistically significant (paired t-test, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The classification of patients into those with prostatodynia or prostatitis based on one EPS examination is misleading and thrice-weekly massage of the prostate is better than a single collection of EPS to obtain the most purulent sample for Gram staining and culture. Hennenfent1998 M Cronin author W Dembling author P Warren author 1997 text continuing periodical academic journal 0895-8831 1997 8 5 130 133 The safety and efficacy of an interdental cleaning device (Braun Oral-B Interclean--ID2) used with a Flexi-Tip gingival massage attachment were evaluated in an investigator-blind comparison with manual floss. Over a 4-week period, 59 healthy volunteers were studied with respect to whole-mouth and interproximal plaque accumulation, gingival index and gingival bleeding. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups following a complete dental examination on Day 1. Subjects each underwent a dental prophylaxis before receiving flossing or massaging instructions. Plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding index scores were evaluated at Day 1 and Week 4. There was a significant reduction from baseline in all three parameters (whole-mouth and interproximal) in each of the groups, over the 4-week period. Reductions for whole-mouth and interproximal plaque scores were 20.3% and 17.0%, respectively in the ID2 group, compared with 16.2% and 13.8%, respectively in the manual floss group. Reductions for gingivitis were 13.0% and 14.1% in the ID2 group, compared with 14.0% and 16.2% in the manual floss group, and for gingival bleeding 52.2% and 53.6% in the ID2 group, compared with 51.7% and 55.6% in the manual floss group, respectively. Differences between treatment groups for each study parameter were not statistically significant. There was no significant soft tissue pathology noted in either study group. The results demonstrated that the manual floss and the interdental cleaning device, when used with the gingival massage attachment, were equally effective. Cronin1997 S A Gusarova author O F Kuznetsov author F E Gorbunov author S G Maslovskaia author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 6 11 13 The comprehensive studies involving rheoencephalography and tetrapolar thoracic rheography made in 120 patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) indicated that pointed massage caused a noticeable rearrangement of hemodynamic processes, which depended on the clinical cause of the disease and the baseline status of the circulatory system. This makes it possible to consider pointed massage as a therapeutical factor aimed at correcting cerebral circulation, which is indicated particularly in DE patients having a history of transitory ischemic attacks in the vertebrobasilar bed. ref318 G MacDonald author text continuing periodical academic journal 1049-9091 15 1 43 47 Effective hospice care is dependent upon a caregiver who is able to with-stand the physical and emotional ardors of the experience. Direct support for the family caretaker is as needed and valuable as the direct care hospice agencies provide to patients. Massage was found to be successful in addressing many of the stress of primary caregivers. Nearly all of those who participated in an outreach project that used massage as a respite intervention reported reduced physical and emotional stress, physical pain, and fewer sleep difficulties. ref319 L Kacperek author 1997-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1997-Apr 3 2 51 57 A descriptive survey was carried out in a private surgical hospital over a 4-week period to ascertain patients' views on the potential use of aromatherapy massage as an out-patient service. A short structured questionnaire was personally distributed to a convenience sample of 240 patients, effecting a response rate of 71% (n = 170). Findings revealed that the majority of respondents would use an aromatherapy massage out-patient service. However, influencing factors were highlighted which would materially affect their decision. Important considerations were: a trained practitioner, reputable premises, the gender of therapist, the cost of treatment, and the degree of confidence in aromatherapy massage. In addition, the influence of the medical profession was interesting. Many respondents prefer to be referred by a GP or consultant. This appeared to be due to lack of knowledge and awareness of aromatherapy massage, and complementary therapies in general. Furthermore, there appeared to be a preferred reliance on the medical profession to take responsibility for health care decisions. Kacperek1997 T Field author M Hernandez-Reif author S Seligman author J Krasnegor author W Sunshine author R Rivas-Chacon author S Schanberg author C Kuhn author 1997-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 0146-8693 1997-Oct 22 5 607 617 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. Field1997 A N Rinder author C J Sutherland author 1995-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1995-Aug 1 4 99 99 Thirteen males and 7 females completed their maximum number of leg extensions against a half maximum load. In a randomised, crossover study they were exercised to fatigue using an ergonometer, ski-squats and leg extensions followed either by a 6 min massage or rest after which they again completed their maximum number of leg extensions against half maximum load. The process was repeated a few days later with the alternative condition (rest or massage). The results showed that massage after exercise fatigue significantly improved quadriceps performance compared to rest (p = 0.001). The data was further analysed in relation to age and gender. Rinder1995 O Kristof author M Schlumpf author R Saller author 1997 text continuing periodical academic journal 0043-5341 1997 147 18 418 422 Reflexology is a frequently used method of complementary medicine. This review deals with history, theory and practise of this technique. Furthermore, results of the published clinical trials are discussed. Although there are more positive than negative results in the therapeutic studies, a final assessment is not possible because of methodological flaws of the studies. More controlled clinical trials are essential. Kristof1997 P G Blackman author L R Simmons author K M Crossley author 1998-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 1050-642X 1998-Jan 8 1 14 17 OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of massage on anterior chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) with respect to symptoms, intracompartmental pressures, and work output of the anterior compartment in dorsiflexion. DESIGN: One group-repeated measures design. SETTING: A private sports medicine clinic in Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Seven athletes (six men and one woman), aged between 21 and 29 years, were selected on the basis of clinical suspicion for anterior CECS. Historical questionnaire and examination were followed by intracompartmental pressure testing of the anterior compartment. Study exclusion criteria were history of a bleeding diathesis and previous treatment consisting of compartment fasciotomy or massage. All athletes completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: A 5-week course of massage consisting of two sessions in the first week and one session per week thereafter, for a total of six treatments. Between each session, a twice-daily standard stretching program involving both anterior and posterior compartments was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postexercise anterior compartment pressures (mm Hg) before and after treatment, work output (J) in dorsiflexion to pain onset before and after treatment, self-reported symptoms before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the 3-minute postexercise compartment pressures after the treatment. There was a significant (p = 0.016) increase, however, in work performed in dorsiflexion to pain onset following the massage course. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent massage combined with specific stretching should be considered in the treatment of anterior CECS. Blackman1998 T Field author M Hernandez-Reif author S Taylor author O Quintino author I Burman author 1997-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0167-482X 1997-Dec 18 4 286 291 Twenty-eight women were recruited from prenatal classes and randomly assigned to receive massage in addition to coaching in breathing from their partners during labor, or to receive coaching in breathing alone (a technique learned during prenatal classes). The massaged mothers reported a decrease in depressed mood, anxiety and pain, and showed less agitated activity and anxiety and more positive affect following the first massage during labor. In addition, the massaged mothers had significantly shorter labors, a shorter hospital stay and less postpartum depression. Field1997 S Adamson author 1996-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1996-Dec 2 6 151 159 In this paper the author reviews six years of running an on-going baby massage group in a health clinic and makes observations, based on experience, on the importance of offering these classes in health centres where they are accessible to all parents with young babies. As baby massage classes are becoming increasingly popular, private individuals are offering classes and, in some cases, there is doubt as to the qualifications of the instructors, their understanding, and their ability to give sufficient support to young mothers at a vulnerable stage in their lives. The quality of training given by the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors based in the USA is appraised and some thoughts are given as to the way ahead in making more baby massage classes available to all parents within the Primary Preventive Health setting. Adamson1996 G Westland author 1996-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1996-Apr 2 2 47 47 This paper introduces biodynamic massage, locates it in the field of massage, and body psychotherapy, describes some of its historical development and basic theoretical assumptions. A case study illustrates its usage in an National Health Service facility. Westland1996 A Vickers author 1997-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 1353-6117 1997-Jun 3 3 63 65 While there is evidence that both massage and aromatherapy can be of benefit, practitioners make a great number of claims about the clinical effects of their treatments. These are presented in literature as simple statements of fact, often with no attempt to explain the basis upon which the claim is made. Though authors do occasionally make reference to the scientific literature, they often do so inadequately and in many cases the cited papers do not support the claims being made. Some authors have been explicit in giving personal experience as the source of their knowledge. However, there are several reasons why it can be difficult to make general statements based on individual experience. The many inconsistencies found in massage and aromatherapy literature--such as different properties being given to the same oil--provide further evidence that the knowledge base of these therapies is unreliable. Practitioners need to develop a critical discourse by which they can evaluate knowledge claims. Vickers1997 B Le Vu author A Dumortier author M V Guillaume author H Mouriesse author L Barreau-Pouhaer author 1997-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 0007-4551 1997-Oct 84 10 957 961 We have compared different modes of rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery on a population of 257 patients treated at the Institute Gustave-Roussy in 1990 and 1991. The mode of rehabilitation was randomized according to a 2 X 2 design, between physiotherapy alone, shoulder movement alone, both or neither. Treatment began the day after breast surgery and continued for 7 days. Afterwards, all patients had physiotherapy and shoulder movements until the end of hospitalisation. Treatment efficacy was evaluated at day 7 by the volume of lymph drained, and by degree of shoulder movement. The volume of lymph collected by day 7 was reduced in the physiotherapy groups, but was not modified in the groups with shoulder movement. The degree of motion was larger in the group who had had both physiotherapy and shoulder movement. The frequencies of complications at day 7 and later were similar in the four treatment groups, but locoregional pain was less frequent in the two groups with shoulder movement than in the two other groups. An early treatment including both physiotherapy and shoulder movement seems advisable. Le Vu1997 H D Kerr author 1997-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 1098-1861 1997-Dec 96 12 57 58 A 51 year-old woman with a history of ureteral stenosis and calculi noted recurrence of severe left flank pain while undergoing a deep body massage using the Rolfing method. Displacement of her left ureteral double J stent was noted in the emergency department. The pain and associated incontinence resolved with restoration of the stent to its original position. Practitioners should be aware of this potential complication related to forceful massage pressures. Kerr1997 B Malavaud author G Salama author M Miédougé author C Vincent author P Rischmann author J P Sarramon author G Serre author 1998-Jan-01 text continuing periodical academic journal 0270-4137 1998-Jan-1 34 1 23 28 BACKGROUND: Following radical prostatectomy, urinary prostate-specific antigen (uPSA) may originate from periurethral glands or from recurrent carcinomatous prostatic cells. We evaluated massage of the urethro-vesical anastomosis as a uPSA-releasing method for the detection of local recurrence. METHODS: PSA was assessed (PSA IMx, Abbott Diagnostic, Rungis, France) in serum and in the first voided urine before and after massage in 59 patients: 7 after cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer, 22 with prostate in situ, and 30 after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. RESULTS: No significant changes of uPSA were induced by the massage in cystoprostatectomy patients and in 4 radical prostatectomy patients with a negative biopsy of the anastomosis. In contrast, a significant increase of uPSA was observed after massage in the patients with prostate in situ and in 6 radical prostatectomy patients with biopsy-proven local relapse. CONCLUSIONS: uPSA before and after massage of the prostatic fossa may constitute a new and efficient tool for the detection of local recurrence, if these preliminary results are confirmed on a larger scale. Malavaud1998 A M Aksenova author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 4 30 32 The idea of deep reflex muscular massage rests on the existence of a strong relationship between structural and functional changes in the skeletal muscles and visceral condition. The massage can be used for management of acute states in combination with herbs, food additives, reduced drug dosages, exercises, thermotherapy. ref332 S Watson author 1997-Aug-13 text continuing periodical academic journal 0029-6570 1997-Aug-13 11 47 45 47 In this article the authors review the benefits of massage and its relationship and relevance to more orthodox therapies. Most studies of the effects of massage on patients' wellbeing have been undertaken by non-nursing researchers and the authors suggest that more nurse-based research would make an important contribution to an holistic approach to care. Interest in, and the use of, complementary therapies has been growing over recent years. Massage seems to be of particular interest to nurses, involving as it does the close, intimate contact which nurses are often engaged in as part of their day-to-day work with patients. The benefits, and some of the problems, associated with massage are explored below. Watson1997 I C Buss author R J Halfens author H H Abu-Saad author text continuing periodical academic journal 0278-4807 22 5 229 229 The prevention of pressure sores is a major concern of rehabilitation nurses. Through the years, several methods have been used to prevent pressure sores. One of the most commonly used methods is massage of bony prominences and pressure areas. However, according to most contemporary clinical guidelines, massage should be avoided. This article analyzes the extent to which these guidelines are based on research findings through a literature review on the effectiveness of massage in the prevention of pressure sores. The results of the studies that were analyzed led to the conclusion that massage as therapy for preventing pressure sores in subjects at risk for developing them is not recommended. ref334 E Malaquin-Pavan author 1997-Jun text continuing periodical academic journal 0297-2964 1997-Jun 49 11 11 This detailed research tries out a "Touch-Massage" action about the studies of reflex and estimates the repercussion this action may have as regards the abnormal behaviour (either in connection with wandering and/or restlessness and/or shouting) of the Elderly who stay in a same place and show cognitive deficiency in connection with an Alzheimer's dementia. In order to check the "intra personal" consequences this action may have, 4 elderly people were chosen and an experimental estimate with different levels was made with them. Two sessions a week of 30 minutes each during 6 months (51 sessions) were suggested that is to say a total of 204 sessions. The effects of this approach regarding the different abnormal behaviour are estimated on one hand from a special clinical grid which assess the different reactions, verbal or not, which occurred during the session. On the other hand the effects are observed directly fifteen minutes after the session. The results are explained, first, for each person and compared between each other; then they are explained according to a collective way regarding the 4 old people. What emerges from all that is that for the whole sessions which were proposed, the activity was accepted at 95%. During the session, the signs showing physical relaxation (59%), sleepiness (34%), research of different manners to communicate with us (59%), stop or decrease of the abnormal behaviour (79%) prove the actual benefit the activity brings during thirty minutes. Fifteen minutes after the session, the signs showing physical relaxation (52%), sleepiness (42%), research of different manners to communicate with us (23%), stop or decrease of the abnormal behaviour (70%) are always significant. In view of the above results, we can stay this new approach using the activity of "Touch Massage" brings a further possibility of nursing care and can help to answer the question "how to take in charge every day an elderly demented patient". Malaquin-Pavan1997 M K Shipman author D R Boniface author M E Tefft author F McCloghry author 1997-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 0306-5456 1997-Jul 104 7 787 791 OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of antenatal perineal massage on subsequent perineal outcomes at delivery. DESIGN: A randomised, single-blind prospective study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Watford General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred and sixty-one nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy and fulfilling criteria for entry to the trial between June 1994 and October 1995. RESULTS: Comparison of the group assigned to massage with the group assigned to no massage showed a reduction of 6.1% in second or third degree tears or episiotomies. This corresponded to tear rates of 75.1% in the no-massage group and 69.0% in the massage group (P = 0.073). There was a corresponding reduction in instrumental deliveries from 40.9% to 34.6% (P = 0.094). After adjustment for mother's age and infant's birthweight these reductions achieved statistical significance (P = 0.024 and P = 0.034, respectively). Analysis by mother's age showed a much larger benefit due to massage in those aged 30 and over and a smaller benefit in those under 30. CONCLUSION: Antenatal perineal massage appears to have some benefit in reducing second or third degree tears or episiotomies and instrumental deliveries. This effect was stronger in the age group 30 years and above. Shipman1997 D J Brooker author M Snape author E Johnson author D Ward author M Payne author 1997-May text continuing periodical academic journal 0144-6657 1997-May 36 ( Pt 2) 287 296 Aromatherapy and massage could provide a useful addition to psychological therapeutic interventions with clients suffering from dementia. The effects of aromatherapy and massage on disturbed behaviour in four individuals with severe dementia were evaluated using a single-case research design. Each participant received 10 treatment sessions of aromatherapy, aromatherapy and massage combined, and massage alone. The effects on each individual's behaviour in the hour following treatment were assessed against 10 'no treatment' control sessions. Reliable individualized disturbed behaviour scales were designed. The effects of the treatments were mixed. The opinion of the staff providing treatment was that all participants benefited. On close scrutiny, only one of the participants benefited from the aromatherapy and massage to a degree that reached statistical significance. In two of the cases aromatherapy and massage led to an increase in agitated behaviour. The importance of the single case study approach with this client group is discussed. Brooker1997 J K Shoemaker author P M Tiidus author R Mader author 1997-May text continuing periodical academic journal 0195-9131 1997-May 29 5 610 614 The ability of manual massage to alter muscle blood flow through three types of massage treatments in a small (forearm) and a large (quadriceps) muscle mass was tested in 10 healthy individuals. A certified massage therapist administered effleurage, petrissage, and tapotement treatments to the forearm flexors (small muscle mass) and quadriceps (large muscle mass) muscle groups in a counterbalanced manner. Limb blood flow was determined from mean blood velocity (MBV) (pulsed Doppler) and vessel diameter (echo Doppler). MBV values were obtained from the continuous data sets prior to treatment, and at 5, 10, and 20 s and 5 min following the onset of massage. Arterial diameters were measured immediately prior to and following the massage treatments; these values were not different and were averaged for the blood flow calculations. The MBV (e.g., 5.77 +/- 0.4 and 9.73 +/- 0.7 cm.s-1) and blood flows (39.1 +/- 6.4 and 371 +/- 30 ml.min-1) for brachial and femoral arteries, respectively, were not altered by any of the massage treatments in either the forearm or quadriceps muscle groups (P > 0.05). Mild voluntary handgrip (approximately 35% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) and knee extension (15 cm) contractions resulted in peak blood velocities (15.2 +/- 1.2 and 28.1 +/- 3.1 cm.s-1) and blood flow (126 +/- 19 and 1087 +/- 144 ml.min-1) for brachial and femoral arteries, respectively, which were significantly elevated from rest (P < 0.05). The results indicate that manual massage does not elevate muscle blood flow irrespective of massage type or the muscle mass receiving the treatment. Further, the results indicate that if an elevated muscle blood flow is the desired therapeutic effect, then light exercise would be beneficial whereas massage would not. Shoemaker1997 R M Garcia author A L Horta author F Farias author 1997-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0080-6234 1997-Apr 31 1 119 128 The objective of this work is to describe the effect of massage done by parents on the reaction to venous puncture of preschooler and school age child hospitalized. Children's reactions were evaluated through the data of vital parameters, non-verbal communication and verbalization. The results obtained indicated that massage had significant effect in non-verbal reactions, especially those related to muscular relaxation. Effects on the reaction of vital parameters showed no difference between the two procedures, with and without massage, realized on the same child. Garcia1997 J C Nickel author 1997 text continuing periodical academic journal 1079-3259 1997 3 1 38 38 The segmented quantitative culture technique originally described more than 25 years ago is acknowledged as the best test to diagnose prostatitis. However, it, is not widely used in clinical practice. This is especially true in primary care settings, but even most urologists appear to have abandoned the procedure. Herein is proposed a simple and cost-effective screen for prostatitis, which involves the culture and microscopic examination of urine before and after prostatic massage. This Pre and Post Massage Test (PPMT) was applied to a personal series of 53 patients and 59 patients from the literature in whom the results of the segmented cultures are available and the results were reevaluated. In this selected patient population the PPMT alone led to the same diagnosis in 102 (91.1%). Within the expected limitations of this retrospective review, the calculated sensitivity and specificity of the PPMT were both 91%. This report should provoke researchers to review their prostatitis data, stimulate discussion, and hopefully convince physicians that adoption of a simpler diagnostic plan for prostatitis is far superior to doing no workup at all. Nickel1997 N Cawley author 1997-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0961-5423 1997-Mar 6 1 23 23 This review examines 14 research studies which have been undertaken to evaluate massage. The review offers a critique of the methodology of these studies, and issues relating to the research design, samples, measurement tools, analysis and the massage intervention are discussed. The critique highlights several key issues relating to the design of the studies and concludes with some recommendations for future research studies evaluating massage. Cawley1997 M Nixon author J Teschendorff author J Finney author W Karnilowicz author text continuing periodical academic journal 0813-0531 14 3 21 26 An equivalent groups design with a treatment group of 19 patients and a control group of 20 patients was used to investigate the impact of massage therapy on patients' perceptions of post-operative pain. Data were analysed using analysis of covariance repeated measures (within subjects) design. Controlling for age, the results indicated that massage produced a significant reduction in patients' perceptions of pain over a 24 hour period. A linear positive relationship emerged between patients' age and the duration of the massage. The study indicates that further investigation of the potential for massage to reduce pain is warranted. ref342 V Rathi author S Basti author S Gupta author 1997-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0886-3350 1997-Mar 23 2 297 299 A 75-year-old woman developed globe rupture with extrusion of intraocular contents during digital massage after periocular injection of an anesthetic. The rupture was repaired. At the last follow-up 6 months after surgery, visual acuity was 20/160. The retina was attached, and the vitreous hemorrhage was resolving. This complication of peribulbar anesthesia and digital massage highlights the importance of using quantitative techniques to induce hypotony during peribulbar anesthesia. Rathi1997 S H Cady author G E Jones author 1997-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 0031-5125 1997-Feb 84 1 157 158 This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 15-min. on-site massage while seated in a chair on reducing stress as indicated by blood pressure. 52 employed participants' blood pressures were measured before and after a 15-min. massage at work. Analysis showed a significant reduction in participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressure after receiving the massage although there was no control group. Cady1997 P M Tiidus author 1997-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 0190-6011 1997-Feb 25 2 107 112 There is currently little scientific evidence that manual massage has any significant impact on the short- or long-term recovery of muscle function following exercise or on the physiological factors associated with the recovery process. In addition, delayed onset muscle soreness may not be affected by massage. Light exercise of the affected muscles is probably more effective than massage in improving muscle blood flow (thereby possibly enhancing healing) and temporarily reducing delayed onset muscle soreness. This paper reviews current scientific evidence on the use of manual massage to affect: 1) muscle damage caused by eccentric muscle action; 2) retention and recovery of muscle strength and performance following "eccentric-mechanical" muscle damage; 3) reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness following "eccentric-mechanical" muscle damage; and 4) recovery of muscle strength and performance following anaerobic exercise. Because manual massage does not appear to have a demonstrated effect on the above, its use in athletic settings for these purposes should be questioned. Tiidus1997 F Scafidi author T Field author 1996-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0146-8693 1996-Dec 21 6 889 897 Assigned randomly 28 neonates born to HIV-positive mothers to a massage therapy or control group. The treatment infants were given three 15-minute massages daily for 10 days. The massaged group showed superior performance on almost every Brazelton newborn cluster score and had a greater daily weight gain at the end of the treatment period unlike the control group who showed declining performance. Scafidi1996 T Field author G Ironson author F Scafidi author T Nawrocki author A Goncalves author I Burman author J Pickens author N Fox author S Schanberg author C Kuhn author 1996-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0020-7454 1996-Sep 86 3-4 197 197 Twenty-six adults were given a chair massage and 24 control group adults were asked to relax in the massage chair for 15 minutes, two times per week for five weeks. On the first and last days of the study they were monitored for EEG, before, during and after the sessions. In addition, before and after the sessions they performed math computations, they completed POMS Depression and State Anxiety Scales and they provided a saliva sample for cortisol. At the beginning of the sessions they completed Life Events, Job Stress and Chronic POMS Depression Scales. Group by repeated measures and post hoc analyses revealed the following: 1) frontal delta power increased for both groups, suggesting relaxation; 2) the massage group showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power (suggesting enhanced alertness); while the control group showed increased alpha and beta power; 3) the massage group showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations while the control group did not change; 4) anxiety levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions, although mood state was less depressed following both the massage and control sessions; 5) salivary cortisol levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions but only on the first day; and 6) at the end of the 5 week period depression scores were lower for both groups but job stress score were lower only for the massage group. Field1996 M J Kalinga author N N Lo author S K Tan author 1996-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 0037-5675 1996-Aug 37 4 443 445 We report an unusual case of a popliteal aneurysm complicating a distal femoral osteochondroma caused by the repeated massages of a traditional medicine practitioner (sinseh). Management was by excision of the exostosis and reconstruction of the damaged arterial segment by a reversed long saphenous vein graft. We advice against massage over an osteochondroma on the distal medial aspect of the femur and suggest prophylactic removal of such lesions because of this potential complication. Kalinga1996 H Feldmann author 1996-Aug text continuing periodical academic journal 0935-8943 1996-Aug 75 8 491 498 BACKGROUND, APPLICATION OF STATIC PRESSURE AT THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE: Cleland in London (1741) presumed that the pressure of a strong sound wave would push the tympanic membrane inward, thereby causing deafness. He recommended correcting this situation by applying suction to the auditory canal, and he demonstrated a small tube suitable for this purpose. Toynbee in London (about 1860) realized that, following a malfunction of the Eustachian tube, a negative pressure would develop in the middle ear and draw the tympanic membrane inward, thus causing hearing loss. This concept resulted in efforts to actively support the aeration of the middle ear via the Eustachian tube. In addition to these measures, Politzer in Vienna (1867) suggested blocking the external auditory canal tightly so that resorption of the air would produce negative pressure, counteracting the low pressure in the middle ear. Lucae in Berlin (1874) proposed the theory that the two small muscles in the drum would act as antagonists on the tympanic membrane and accommodate the ear for high and low-pitched sounds respectively. He tried to correct malpositions of the tympanic membrane due to a misbalance of the two muscles by applying static positive or negative pressure in the auditory canal. APPLICATION OF ALTERNATING PRESSURE AT THE TYMPANIC MEMBRANE: Siegle in Stuttgart (1864) put forward the idea that repeated strong movements driven by the pneumatic ear speculum that he had invented would be able to loosen adhesions in the middle ear. Lucae (1884) later devised an elastic probe to be placed on the short process of the malleus for massage of the ossicular chain. Delstanche in Brussels (1885) presented two instruments called "rarefacteur" and "masseur du tympan et des osselets" which in the auditory canal would produce negative pressure or alternating pressure respectively. The next step were suggestions and devices enabling the patient to treat himself for reduced mobility of the tympanic membrane or the ossicular chain, such as alternating pressure on the tragus, or tubes to conduct pressure from the mouth or a rubber bag to the ear. With the aim of speeding up the frequency of the pressure impulses, mechanic pumps were constructed, which were first driven by hand, later on by electric power. CRITICAL EVALUATION: At the turn of the century numerous attempts were made to evaluate the effectiveness of the pneumatic massage of the middle ear and to specify the indication for this kind of treatment. Although no convincing and predictable results could be demonstrated and even harmful effects had been observed in animal experiments, the massage of the tympanic membrane continued its triumphant march for half a century. The reason for this seems to be the suggestive and plausible therapeutic approach to a well known pathology of the middle ear. Since the middle of this century it has been regarded as obsolete and is no longer mentioned in text books. The history of this episode is presented in detail. Feldmann1996 L M Sedlov author text continuing periodical academic journal 0025-8075 2 43 45 The Akustmash Research Production Association has developed and manufactured novel original massage complexes. The pseudoboiling effect of lots of balls that chaotically and intensively move under the elastic membrane has been first used in the world. This massage is given the name massage via elastic pseudoboiling layer (EPL). Four models of massage complexes are outlined in the paper. ref350 J A Foster author J A Katowitz author S Heyman author 1996-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0740-9303 1996-Mar 12 1 32 37 Between November 1990 and November 1993, 580 children with lacrimal outflow obstruction were examined at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. After excluding patients previously treated for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, we obtained a prospectively selected series of 20 children for this study. These patients underwent dacryoscintigraphy before and immediately after lacrimal sac massage to investigate the effect of external compression on fluid movement within the lacrimal outflow system. In 12 patients, tracer did not enter the lacrimal outflow system on the side(s) of obstruction. The absence of radiopharmaceutical correlated with clinical obstruction. In eight patients, tracer was noted to enter the lacrimal sac. After massage of the lacrimal sac, we observed progression of the tracer in five of the eight subjects. In these eight subjects, the pre- and postmassage tear column measurements showed a relative increase of 34.3%. Massage of eight clinically normal ducts showed a relative increase of 2.4% (p = 0.06). We conclude that progression of the tear column after lacrimal massage can be demonstrated on dacryoscintigraphy. Foster1996 S Gupta author A Goswami author A K Sadhukhan author D N Mathur author 1996-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 0172-4622 1996-Feb 17 2 106 110 This investigation highlights the comparison of blood lactate removal during the period of recovery in which the subjects were required to sit down as a passive rest period, followed by active recovery at 30% VO(2)max and short term body massage, as the three modes of recovery used. Ten male athletes participated in the study. Exercise was performed on a bicycle ergometer with loads at 150% VO(2)max, each session lasting 1 min, interspaced with 15 sec rest periods, until exhaustion. Blood lactate concentration was recorded at recovery periods of 0,3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 min, while VO(2), VCO(2) and heart rate were recorded every 30 sec for 30 min. The highest mean lactate value was found after 3 min of recovery irrespective of the type of modality applied. Significantly lower half life of lactate was observed during active recovery (15.7 +/- 2.5 min) period, while short term massage as a means of recovery required 21.8 +/- 3.5 min and did not show any significant difference from a passive type of sitting recovery period of 21.5 +/- 2.8 min. Analysis of lactate values indicated no remarkable difference between massage and a passive type of sitting recovery period. It was observed that in short term massage recovery, more oxygen was consumed as compared to a passive type of sitting recovery. It is concluded from the study that the short term body massage is ineffective in enhancing the lactate removal and that an active type of recovery is the best modality for enhancing lactate removal after exercise. Gupta1996 G Ironson author T Field author F Scafidi author M Hashimoto author M Kumar author A Kumar author A Price author A Goncalves author I Burman author C Tetenman author R Patarca author M A Fletcher author 1996-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 0020-7454 1996-Feb 84 1-4 205 217 Twenty-nine gay men (20 HIV+, 9 HIV-) received daily massages for one month. A subset of 11 of the HIV+ subjects served as a within subject control group (one month with and without massages). Major immune findings for the effects of the month of massage included a significant increase in Natural Killer Cell number, Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity, soluble CD8, and the cytotoxic subset of CD8 cells. There were no changes in HIV disease progression markers (CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio, Beta-2 microglobulin, neopterin). Major neuroendocrine findings, measured via 24 hour urines included a significant decrease in cortisol, and nonsignificant trends toward decrease of catecholamines. There were also significant decreases in anxiety and increases in relaxation which were significantly correlated with increases in NK cell number. Thus, there appears to be an increase in cytotoxic capacity associated with massage. Implications for HIV+ men as those with other illnesses, particularly cancer, are discussed. Ironson1996 T Field author N Grizzle author F Scafidi author S Schanberg author 1996 text continuing periodical academic journal 0001-8449 1996 31 124 903 911 Thirty-two depressed adolescent mothers received ten 30-minute sessions of massage therapy or relaxation therapy over a five-week period. Subjects were randomly assigned to each group. Although both groups reported lower anxiety following their first and last therapy sessions, only the massage therapy group showed behavioral and stress hormone changes including a decrease in anxious behavior, pulse, and salivary cortisol levels. A decrease in urine cortisol levels suggested lower stress following the five-week period for the massage therapy group. Field1996 S A Gusarova author O F Kuznetsov author S G Maslovskaia author text continuing periodical academic journal 0042-8787 1 14 16 A definite effect is shown of massage conducted in different areas of the body on hemodynamics in 119 patients who have suffered an acute episode of reversible brain ischemia. The techniques of the massage for such patients are detailed. ref355 M Kirshbaum author 1996-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0266-8130 1996-Jan 11 4 230 232 Lymphoedema of the arm is a complication of treatment for breast cancer. The condition often causes discomfort, reduced movement and changes in body image. Massage is one of the cornerstones of treatment. Aromatherapy massage is relaxing, increases patient comfort and promotes a therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. Kirshbaum1996 M Kurosawa author T Lundeberg author G Agren author I Lund author K UvnÀs-Moberg author 1995-Dec-05 text continuing periodical academic journal 0165-1838 1995-Dec-5 56 1-2 26 26 The aim of this study was to determine how massage-like stroking of the abdomen in rats influences arterial blood pressure. The participation of oxytocinergic mechanisms in this effect was also investigated. The ventral and/or lateral sides of the abdomen were stroked at a speed of 20 cm/s with a frequency of 0.017-0.67 Hz in pentobarbital anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. Arterial blood pressure was recorded with a pressure transducer via a catheter in the carotid artery. Stroking of the ventral, or both ventral and lateral sides of the abdomen for 1 min with a frequency of 0.67 Hz caused a marked decrease in arterial blood pressure (approx. 50 mmHg). After cessation of the stimulation blood pressure returned to the control level within 1 min. The maximum decrease in blood pressure was achieved at frequencies of 0.083 Hz or more. Stroking only the lateral sides of the abdomen elicited a significantly smaller decrease in blood pressure (approx. 30 mmHg decrease) than stroking the ventral side. The decrease in blood pressure caused by stroking was not altered by s.c. administration of an oxytocin antagonist (1-deamino-2-D-Tyr-(Oet)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin, 1 mg/kg) directed against the uterine receptor. In contrast, the administration of 0.1 mg/kg of oxytocin diminished the effect, which was antagonized by a simultaneous injection of the oxytocin antagonist. These results indicate that the massage-like stroking of the abdomen decreases blood pressure in anesthetized rats. This effect does not involve intrinsic oxytocinergic transmission. However, since exogenously applied oxytocin was found to diminish the effect of stroking, oxytocin may exert an inhibitory modulatory effect on this reflex arc. Kurosawa1995 M S Anscher author 1995-Dec text continuing periodical academic journal 0277-3732 1995-Dec 18 6 481 483 PURPOSE: To determine the value of prostate bed massage as a means to determine whether a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) after radical prostatectomy is due to local recurrence or distant metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighteen patients referred for pelvic radiotherapy because of a rising PSA after radical prostatectomy had PSA levels measured immediately before and 5 minutes after a vigorous 30-second massage of the prostate bed. RESULTS: Only one of the 18 (5%) patients experienced a rise in their PSA following vigorous prostate bed massage. Fifteen of the 18 (83%) patients' PSA levels declined after radiotherapy, suggesting that recurrent prostate cancer had been present in the prostate bed at the time of prostate massage in these patients. Only 1 of these 15 patients (7%) had a rise in their PSA after massage. CONCLUSION: Prostate bed massage, as performed in this study, was not helpful to determine whether a rise in PSA after radical prostatectomy was due to local or distant recurrence. Anscher1995 P M Tiidus author J K Shoemaker author 1995-Oct text continuing periodical academic journal 0172-4622 1995-Oct 16 7 478 483 Manual massage is commonly assumed to enhance long term muscle recovery from intense exercise, partly due to its ability to speed healing via enhanced muscle blood flow. We tested these assumptions by daily (for four days) massaging the quadriceps muscles of one leg on subjects who had previously completed an intense bout of eccentric quadriceps work with both legs. Immediate post-exercise isometric and dynamic quadriceps peak torque measures had declined to approximately 60-70% of pre-exercise values in both legs. Peak torques for both the massage and control leg tended to slowly return toward pre-exercise values through the subsequent four days (96 hrs). There was no significant difference between the isometric and dynamic peak torques between massage and control legs up to 96 hours post-exercise. Leg blood flow was estimated by determining femoral artery and vein mean blood velocities via pulsed Doppler ultrasound velocimetry. Massage of the quadriceps muscles did not significantly elevate arterial or venous mean blood velocity above resting levels, while light quadriceps muscle contractions did. The perceived level of delayed onset muscle soreness tended to be reduced in the massaged leg 48-96 hours post-exercise. It was concluded that massage was not an effective treatment modality for enhancing long term restoration of post-exercise muscle strength and its use for this purpose in athletic settings should be questioned. Tiidus1995 I Iida author K Noro author 1995-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 0014-0139 1995-Sep 38 9 1921 1931 Based on a study of human hand movements during practical diagnosis, evaluation patterns of softness and elasticity were observed. The evaluation models were extracted from these analyses and applied to the developing a method of detecting the dynamic properties of human skin. The device consisted of a robot arm controlled by microcomputer system and a probe with a mounted mechanical strain gauge. A method was developed to measure the dynamic properties of human skin. Correlations were obtained between parameters from the measurements and the values evaluated by experts. The dynamic properties of the cheek skins of a panel of 86 people, aged from 20 to 75 years, were measured. A remarkable reduction in elasticity was observed in older people and the lack of sebum was analysed. From these results the metabolism in the skin surface and the muscles of the cheeks were analysed. The effects of skin care products were then confirmed by measuring cheeks before and after continual use of facial treatment systems for a month. Significant recovery effects were observed in a less soft-skinned group and a less elastic-skinned group over 30 years of age. These experiments suggest a protecting effect of facial treatments and skin care products. Iida1995 P van der Riet author 1995-Sep text continuing periodical academic journal 1320-7881 1995-Sep 2 3 149 156 This paper draws upon data from a students' massage workshop, focuses on the students' discourse as they positioned themselves as masseurs and considers relationships between nursing discourses and genderized self-hood. For some students, there was a conflation of sex and massage. Massage was more heavily laden with implicit sexual meaning for male students than for female students. The latter were able to negotiate the ambiguities of working with people's bodies in a more comfortable way. This research has implications for teaching students of nursing, particularly in relation to massage, and also nursing practice that involves care for the patient's body. van der Riet1995 F Korsgaard author 1995-Aug-07 text continuing periodical academic journal 0041-5782 1995-Aug-7 157 32 4467 4468 Complications to external cardiac massage with special regard to liver damage are shortly reviewed. A case story, in which a young healthy woman suffered rupture of the liver followed by hypovolaemic shock after a few minutes of cardiac massage and subsequent thrombolysis, is presented. It is discussed whether the common use of thrombolytic treatment will cause more cases of clinically important haemorrhage after external cardiac massage. Korsgaard1995 C Y Hsu author L M Huang author C Y Lee author T Y Lin author P I Lee author J M Chen author 1995-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 0891-3668 1995-Jul 14 7 567 572 The effect of local massage on adverse reactions and immunogenicity of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine was investigated. After diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination 327 infants were either massaged or not, and adverse reactions were evaluated. Local pain and fever were more frequent in the massage group. The extra febrile episodes from massage were mild (38-39 degrees C). For evaluation of the antibody responses, 124 infants were recruited into massage or nonmassage cohorts and antibody production was measured at 2, 6, 7, 18 and 19 months of age, respectively. Subjects in the massage group developed significantly higher antibodies against filamentous hemagglutinin at 6 and 7 months of age, pertussis toxin at 6, 7, 18 and 19 months of age, pertussis agglutinogen at 18 and 19 months of age and those in the nonmassage group. Local massage after diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination was associated with better immunogenicity and more adverse reactions, including low grade fever and local pain, which were mild and not particularly disturbing. Hsu1995 D Hilliard author 1995-Jul text continuing periodical academic journal 0279-3695 1995-Jul 33 7 29 29 1. Some seriously mentally ill clients have unfulfilled needs for safe touch. 2. Flashbacks or provocative behavior have not been triggered by the use of massage in a structured setting. 3. The blending psychiatric skills and therapeutic massage can be an effective stress reducer for inpatients or outpatients who seek safe touch. Hilliard1995 T Field author 1995-Apr text continuing periodical academic journal 0196-206X 1995-Apr 16 2 105 111 Data are reviewed on the effects of massage therapy on infants and children with various medical conditions. The infants include: premature infants, cocaine-exposed infants, HIV-exposed infants, infants parented by depressed mothers, and full-term infants without medical problems. The childhood conditions include: abuse (sexual and physical), asthma, autism, burns, cancer, developmental delays, dermatitis (psoriasis), diabetes, eating disorders (bulimia), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric problems. Generally, the massage therapy has resulted in lower anxiety and stress hormones and improved clinical course. Having grandparent volunteers and parents give the therapy enhances their own wellness and provides a cost-effective treatment for the children. Field1995 O Eliska author M Eliskova author 1995-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0024-7766 1995-Mar 28 1 21 21 Massage of the foot in men and the hindpaw in dogs was performed by applying external pressures of 70-100 mmHg for a period of one, three, five, and ten minutes with a frequency of 25 strokes per minute. This protocol was performed on individuals without edema, on dogs with experimental lymphedema and men with post-thrombotic venous edema. After ten minutes of forceful massage, focal damage of lymphatics was present. In a group of dogs with lymphedema and men with post-thrombotic venous edema, the alteration of lymphatics was greater than in normal individuals and evident only after 3 to 5 minutes of massage. At first, the forceful massage affected the endothelial lining of the initial lymphatics. Alterations of lymphatic collectors were visible later. The fluid in lymphedema was translocated by massage using high pressure from the interstitium into the lumen of lymphatics by means of the open junctions and by artificial cracks that develop from injury to the lymphatic wall. Vigorous massage in lymphedema also produces loosening of subcutaneous connective tissue, formation of large tissue channels and release of lipid droplets that enter the lymphatics. By this mechanism, massage helps reduce the amount of fat cells in the lymphedematous leg. Eliska1995 B Steward author R Woodman author D Hurlburt author 1995-Mar text continuing periodical academic journal 0190-6011 1995-Mar 21 3 172 175 Deep friction massage (DFM) is a therapeutic modality for tendinitis, muscle strains, ligamentous sprains, and capsulitis of the trapezio-first-metacarpal joint. Depending on the stage and site of the lesion, treatment sessions may be as brief as 5 minutes or as long as 20 minutes. Many therapists find DFM to be very effective but state that treatment is very fatiguing to administer. Therapists with hypermobile fingers find it particularly difficult to perform. In order to overcome these two problems, a number of splints have been designed to treat various lesions. This article describes how to fabricate one of these splints. This splint is useful for commonly seen lesions such as supraspinatus tendinitis and a sprained acromioclavicular ligament. Steward1995 G Agren author T Lundeberg author K UvnÀs-Moberg author A Sato author 1995-Feb-24 text continuing periodical academic journal 0304-3940 1995-Feb-24 187 1 49 49 In this study the effect of exogenous oxytocin and of massage-like stroking on the withdrawal latency responses to heat and mechanical nociceptive stimulation were investigated in rats. A hot-plate test and the Randall-Selitto test were used to assess the withdrawal responses. Exogenous oxytocin (0.1-1 mg/kg) and stroking (a low frequency mechanical stimulation) significantly increased the withdrawal latencies in response to mechanical and to thermal nociceptive stimuli. The effect of oxytocin and of stroking in the hot-plate test was reversed by the oxytocin antagonist (1-deamino-2-D-Tyr-(Oet)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin) directed against the uterine receptor. In contrast, the antagonist did not affect the prolonged response latency in the mechanical nociceptive stimulation test following either exogenous oxytocin or stroking. These results support the view that (1) oxytocin administration affects directly or indirectly nociceptive related behaviour in response to heat stimulation, and (2) massage-like stroking may have an anti-nociceptive effect via activation of oxytocinergic mechanisms. Since the response to mechanical stimulation was not blocked by the antagonist the mechanisms mediating the withdrawal latency to heat and mechanical stimulation could be different. Agren1995 M Bethe author U Krusche author 1995-Feb text continuing periodical academic journal 0941-3790 1995-Feb 57 2 97 97 Investigations in the District of Schaumburg. On the occasion of the inspection of a hospital we became aware of the problem of contamination of underwater-massage tubs with microorganisms. Hence, investigations according to the German DIN standard 19,643 were performed on 41 tubs. Very often we found a high count of microorganisms. If Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected, the use of the respective tub was prohibited because of the risk of infection (about 70% of all tubs). The reasons are the design of the pumps and different procedures of cleaning and disinfection. During the investigations the suppliers of the apparatus were queried. In some cases, technical improvements have already been effected. Reliable standard disinfection procedures must be developed. Bethe1995 C K Wright author 1995 text continuing periodical academic journal 1043-6596 1995 7 1 24 27 Massage performed by a Chinese nurse is described as observed by the author. A brief history of both Eastern and Western massage is presented. A comparison of theory, indications, methods, and outcomes of massage as performed by nurses from the United States (U.S.) and the People's Republic of China is made. The comparison is based on nursing texts and journals printed in the U.S., the author's personal experience in the People's Republic of China, correspondence with a nurse from the People's Republic of China, and texts and journals printed in English in the People's Republic of China. Massage as a nursing intervention differed on many points of comparison between the two countries. Chinese nurses perform massage over the meridians which are the channels for Chi--the life force of energy. Nurses in the U.S. perform massage over tense muscles. Massage performed by U.S. nurses involves three to five strokes while Chinese nurses use dozens of strokes. In China, massage is considered curative; in the U.S. it is mostly palliative. Wright1995 H P Nguyen author D L Le author Q M Tran author V T Nguyen author N O Nguyen author 1995 text continuing periodical academic journal 1569-6332 1995 8 Pt 2 998 Massage and Acupression have a history of many years of use by the Vietnamese people in the treatment of diseases, and they can give wonderful therapeutic effects in painful syndromes and chronic diseases, etc. On the other hand, some methods of Chrono-Acupuncture based on chronobiological theory and the holistic concept of traditional medicine are studied and applied in clinical applications. This paper presents the therapy advice system based on Chrono-Massage and Acupression using the method of ZiWuLiuZhu called CHROMASSI. The system includes four major parts. Massage and Acupression Teaching: This part can provide the user with some background in Massage and Acupression theory such as the pathology of the meridians, the classification of points and their function, the therapeutic properties of points, the methods of Massage and Acupression (including Pression, Friction, Rubbing, Light Massage, Petrissage, Rolling and Rubbing, Percussion and Vibration), and the direction of the meridians circulation, displaying AcuPoints represented by color pictures of the 12 main meridians and 2 vessels. More than 330 popular AcuPoints are used in the system. Open AcuPoint Calculating: This module can help us to calculate open AcuPoints based on data about days, months, years and hours using the special method of ZiWuLiuZhu. The Points adopted by ZiWuLiuZhu are the Five Shu Points and Source Points including 66 points (all of them are located below the elbows and knees). The effectiveness of these points becomes particularly evident when they are needled or punctured at optimum time intervals. For example, at 9:00 a.m., September 22, 1994, the open Points by the ZiWuLiuZhu method will be the points K2 (Nhien Coc) and K10 (Am Coc). According to the chronotherapeutic method, first we have to pressure (or puncture) the above points in order to attain the sensation RDac KhiS (arrival of energy), then pressure the other treating points as in ordinary Massage and Acupression. Therapy Consultation: Knowledge of the system was provided by Prof. Nguyen Van Thang and Doctor Nguyen Nhu Oanh at the Vietnam National Institute of Oriental Medicine. CHROMASSI is able to advise on ways to treat about 153 diseases and symptoms in the following fields: Aches and Pains, Insomnia, Common Cold and Influenza, Sexual Disturbances, Medical Aesthetics in Face, Breast and Buttock, Hygiene, Cardio-Vascular Tract, Digestive Tract, Urinary Tract, Respiratory Tract, Genital Tract, Ear-Nose-Throat Tract, Nervous Tract. The system can provide information about Remarks, Acupoints formulas for treating by Massage and Acupression with colour pictures of meridians. Explanation: The CHROMASSI system can explain why the AcuPoints are used for treating diseases based on the theoretical bases of traditional Vietnamese medicine and on the meridians and collaterals system theory. The colour pictures representing the circulation of vital energy in the meridians are used for explanation. The CHROMASSI system was developed in TURBO-PROLOG and TURBO-PASCAL and can run on IBM PC/AT computers and compatibles. The system can be used for teaching and for clinics of Massage and Acupression combined with Chronotherapeutics. At present the system is used by some physicians for clinical applications. The first results indicate that, in 20 cases of generalized headache compared with the control group, the combining of chronoacupression using the ZiWuLiuZhu method and ordinary Massage and Acupression gave better effects than that obtained by either method alone. Nguyen1995 J T Viitasalo author K NiemelÀ author R Kaappola author T Korjus author M Levola author H V Mononen author H K Rusko author T E Takala author 1995 text continuing periodical academic journal 0301-5548 1995 71 5 431 438 The effects of warm underwater water-jet massage on neuromuscular functioning, selected biochemical parameters (serum creatine kinase, lactic dehydrogenase, serum carbonic anhydrase, myoglobin, urine urea and creatinine) and muscle soreness were studied among 14 junior track and field athletes. Each subject spent, in a randomized order, two identical training weeks engaged in five strength/power training sessions lasting 3 days. The training weeks differed from each other only in respect of underwater water-jet massage treatments. These were used three times (20 min each) during the treatment week and not used during the control week. During the treatment week continuous jumping power decreased and ground contact time increased significantly less (P < 0.05) and serum myoglobin increased more than during the control week. It is suggested that underwater water-jet massage in connection with intense strength/power training increases the release of proteins from muscle tissue into the blood and enhances the maintenance of neuro-muscular performance capacity. Viitasalo1995 C Dunn author J Sleep author D Collett author 1995-Jan text continuing periodical academic journal 0309-2402 1995-Jan 21 1 34 34 There is widespread belief that the use of aromatherapy and massage in an intensive care environment offers a means of increasing the quality of sensory input that patients receive, as well as reducing levels of stress and anxiety. Despite a wealth of anecdotal evidence in support of these claims, there have been few objective studies to evaluate the effects of these therapies. In this experimental study 122 patients admitted to a general intensive care unit were randomly allocated to receive either massage, aromatherapy using essential oil of lavender, or a period of rest. Both pre- and post-therapy assessments included physiological stress indicators and patients' evaluation of their anxiety levels, mood and ability to cope with their intensive care experience. Ninety-three patients (77%) were able to complete subjective assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in the physiological stress indicators or observed or reported behaviour of patients' ability to cope following any of the three interventions. However, those patients who received aromatherapy reported significantly greater improvement in their mood and perceived levels of anxiety. They also felt less anxious and more positive immediately following the therapy, although this effect was not sustained or cumulative. Dunn1995 T Boone author R Cooper author 1995 text continuing periodical academic journal 0192-415X 1995 23 1 37 37 This study determined the effect of massage on oxygen consumption at rest. Ten healthy, adult males (mean age = 28 years) volunteered to serve as subjects. During the Control Session, each subject was placed in the supine position on a massage table to remain motionless for 30 minutes. During the Treatment Session, each subject received a 30-minute sports massage of the lower extremities. Oxygen consumption was determined via the Beckman Metabolic Measurement Cart, which was upgraded to estimate cardiac output using the CO2 rebreathing (equilibrium) method. Paired t-tests were used for all tests of statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the subjects' oxygen consumption with the massage. Also, there were no significant differences in heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and arteriovenous oxygen difference during the massage. These findings indicate (1) that massaging the lower extremities results in neither an increase nor a decrease in the subjects' expenditure of energy at rest and (2) that the energy cost of metabolism at rest is determined by the same central and/or peripheral adjustments. Boone1995 Y Omura author S L Beckman author text continuing periodical academic journal 0360-1293 20 1 21 21 Various methods of improving circulation and enhancing drug uptake which were used in treating some intractable medical problems caused by infections, and two syndromes based on the co-existence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection (mixed with either Lyme Borrelia burgdorferi or Cytomegalovirus) with increased Uric acid are described. The principal author's previous studies have indicated that there are two opposite types of Qi Gong energy, positive (+) and negative (-). Positive (+) Qi Gong energy has been used clinically to enhance circulation and drug uptake in diseased areas where there is a micro-circulatory disturbance and drug uptake is markedly diminished. (-) Qi Gong energy has completely the opposite effect and therefore has not been used although there may be some as yet undiscovered application. Since the late 1980's the principal author has succeeded in storing (+) Qi Gong energy on a variety of substances including small sheets of paper, and recently has been able to intensify this energy by concentrating it as it passes through a cone-shaped, tapered glass or plastic object placed directly on the (+) Qi Gong energy stored paper. Application of (+) Qi Gong energy stored paper on the cardio-vascular representation area of the medulla oblongata at the occipital area of the skull often improved circulation and enhanced drug uptake. If the drug-uptake enhancement was still not sufficient for the drug to reach therapeutic levels in the diseased organ, direct application of (+) Qi Gong from the practitioner's hand often enhanced the drug uptake more significantly. However, this direct method often results in the practitioner developing intestinal micro-hemorrhage within 24 hours which may or may not be noticed as mild intestinal discomfort with soft, slightly tarry stool. For intensifying (+) Qi Gong energy one of the most efficient shapes is a cone with increased intensification occurring at an optimal height. However when the total mass and the total distance from base to peak is increased beyond an optimal limit, the power decreases. Clinical application of Intensified (+) Qi Gong stored energy was evaluated in this preliminary study which indicated that intensified (+) Qi Gong energy application on the heart representation area of the middle finger on the hands markedly improved circulation in the corresponding organ, and increased drug uptake and acetylcholine even more effectively than some of the previously used drug enhancement methods (Shiatsu massage of the organ representation areas and/or application of (+) Qi Gong energy stored paper to the occipital area above the cardiovascular representation area of the medulla oblongata).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) ref375 D M Gauthier author 1999-Jun-17 text continuing periodical academic journal 1072-7639 1999-Jun-17 6 5 The experience of illness and/or hospitalization often elicits a stress response which may manifest as sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and general discomfort. The diagnosis and treatment of a person's response to illness or other event is a key tenet of nursing. The well-established nursing intervention, back rub or back massage, has been utilized as a time-honored comfort measure. This research review summarizes the studies that have evaluated the effect of massage on psychophysiologic outcome measures. Research demonstrates that back massage has the ability to elicit a relaxation response in the majority of study subjects. Gauthier1999 M Kurosawa author T Lundeberg author G Agren author I Lund author K UvnÀs-Moberg author 1995-Dec-05 text continuing periodical academic journal 0165-1838 1995-Dec-5 56 1-2 26 26 The aim of this study was to determine how massage-like stroking of the abdomen in rats influences arterial blood pressure. The participation of oxytocinergic mechanisms in this effect was also investigated. The ventral and/or lateral sides of the abdomen were stroked at a speed of 20 cm/s with a frequency of 0.017-0.67 Hz in pentobarbital anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. Arterial blood pressure was recorded with a pressure transducer via a catheter in the carotid artery. Stroking of the ventral, or both ventral and lateral sides of the abdomen for 1 min with a frequency of 0.67 Hz caused a marked decrease in arterial blood pressure (approx. 50 mmHg). After cessation of the stimulation blood pressure returned to the control level within 1 min. The maximum decrease in blood pressure was achieved at frequencies of 0.083 Hz or more. Stroking only the lateral sides of the abdomen elicited a significantly smaller decrease in blood pressure (approx. 30 mmHg decrease) than stroking the ventral side. The decrease in blood pressure caused by stroking was not altered by s.c. administration of an oxytocin antagonist (1-deamino-2-D-Tyr-(Oet)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin, 1 mg/kg) directed against the uterine receptor. In contrast, the administration of 0.1 mg/kg of oxytocin diminished the effect, which was antagonized by a simultaneous injection of the oxytocin antagonist. These results indicate that the massage-like stroking of the abdomen decreases blood pressure in anesthetized rats. This effect does not involve intrinsic oxytocinergic transmission. However, since exogenously applied oxytocin was found to diminish the effect of stroking, oxytocin may exert an inhibitory modulatory effect on this reflex arc. Kurosawa1995 T Boone author R Cooper author 1995 text continuing periodical academic journal 0192-415X 1995 23 1 37 37 This study determined the effect of massage on oxygen consumption at rest. Ten healthy, adult males (mean age = 28 years) volunteered to serve as subjects. During the Control Session, each subject was placed in the supine position on a massage table to remain motionless for 30 minutes. During the Treatment Session, each subject received a 30-minute sports massage of the lower extremities. Oxygen consumption was determined via the Beckman Metabolic Measurement Cart, which was upgraded to estimate cardiac output using the CO2 rebreathing (equilibrium) method. Paired t-tests were used for all tests of statistical significance. There was no significant difference in the subjects' oxygen consumption with the massage. Also, there were no significant differences in heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and arteriovenous oxygen difference during the massage. These findings indicate (1) that massaging the lower extremities results in neither an increase nor a decrease in the subjects' expenditure of energy at rest and (2) that the energy cost of metabolism at rest is determined by the same central and/or peripheral adjustments. Boone1995