CLINICAL RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
FRIDAY, 5:45-6:30 PM
Menard MB.
Immediate effect of massage on pain sensation and unpleasantness:
a case series.
Potomac Massage Training Institute mmenard@pmti.org
PURPOSE: To assess the effect of therapeutic
massage on pain, and test the feasibility of using a case series design
to conduct practice-based CAM research.
METHODS: From May 1999 to December 2003, every
first time client (n =116) who complained of pain during the initial
intake was routinely assessed for pain sensation and unpleasantness
using a visual analog scale (VAS) as part of their intake interview,
and again following the massage session. Clients were informed that
information gathered during the intake would be used for research purposes,
and no client declined to have their information included. To reduce
bias, only new clients without prior relationship to the therapist were
eligible for inclusion. During the interview, the concepts of pain sensation
and unpleasantness were explained using a script. Clients were asked
to rate their current level of pain using the VAS and were told that
they would be asked to do so again after the massage as a measure to
evaluate the massage. Massage treatment was individualized to each client,
however the duration of the massage was standardized (60 minutes). Techniques
used included Swedish massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, counterstrain
and positional release techniques, and energy work, based on the therapist's
judgment and client feedback during the session. Mean pain scores before
and after massage were compared using paired t-tests.
RESULTS: 94 women and 22 men ranging in age
from 18 to 86 participated. Average age was 42, with a median age of
41. Most participants were white, with 3 Asian, 1 African-American,
and 1 Hispanic/Latino. The majority of clients complained of musculoskeletal
back pain (n =55) and neck pain (n =26), followed by shoulders (n =16).
Mean pain sensation decreased from 3.76 (sd 1.87) prior to massage to
.89 (sd 1.35) following massage, with t =18.87, p <.001. Mean pain unpleasantness
decreased from 5.21 (sd 2.48) prior to massage to .64 (sd 1.23) following
massage, with t =20.45, p <.001. Effect sizes were 1.76 and 1.90, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: While the lack of a control group
means that magnitude of treatment effect is likely to be overestimated,
the results are still striking, particularly the reduction in pain unpleasantness.
Massage shows promise as an intervention for reducing pain. The case
series design is a feasible method for CAM practitioners to conduct
practice-based research.
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