Positive Health Online

Abstract

FIELD and colleagues, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida USA studied the use of massage for anxiety and alertness.

Background

Methodology

26 adults were given a chair massage; 24 control adults simply relaxed in the massage chair for 15 minutes, twice per week for 5 weeks. EEG was monitored on the first and last study days, prior to, during and following the sessions. Also before and after the sessions the people performed math computations, complete the POMS Depression and State Anxiety Scales and gave a saliva sample to be evaluated for cortisol. Prior to the beginning of the sessions they completed Life Events, Job Stress and Chronic POMS Depression Scales.

Results

1) Frontal delta power increased in both groups, which suggested relaxation; 2) The group which was massaged showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting enhanced alertness, while the controls showed increased alpha and beta power; 3) The massage group showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations, whereas there was no change in the control group; 4) Anxiety levels decreased following the massage, but not the control sessions, although mood state was less depressed following both the massage and control sessions; 5) Levels of salivary cortisol were lower following massage, only on the first day, but not at all following the control sessions; 6) Depression scores were lower for both groups at the end of 5 weeks and job stress scores were lower only in the massage group.

Conclusion

Massage therapy reduced anxiety and enhanced alertness.

References

Field T et al. Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations. Int J Neurosci 86(34): 197205. Sep 1996.