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 sig