A Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy Research

Click here to read the paper by Christopher A. Moyer, et al.

Single applications of MT reduced state anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate but not negative mood, immediate assessment of pain, or cortisol levels. Multiple applications reduced delayed assessment of pain. Reductions of trait anxiety and depression were MT’s largest effects, with a course of treatment providing benefits similar in magnitude to those of psychotherapy. The limitations of a medical model of MT are discussed, and it is proposed that new MT theories and research use a psychotherapy perspective.