Tactile Massage Research Articles

Positive effects of tactile massage for adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – A small scale study

Background and purposeEpidemiological studies show the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents is around 5 %. There is strong evidence for psychosocial interventions and medication for treatment of ADHD core symptoms, but these alone do not always reach a satisfactory outcome. The aim of this small-scale study was to evaluate the impact of tactile massage on ADHD core symptoms in adolescents in a clinical setting. Secondary outcome measures addressed pain perception, ability to fall asleep, and stress levels before, during, and after the intervention. Materials and methodsFourteen adolescents aged 15–17 and previously diagnosed with ADHD received tactile massage sessions in an experimental, single-subject ABA study combined with a group-based evaluation using descriptive statistics. The adolescents and their parents answered questionnaires to follow up on the primary and secondary outcomes. ResultsThe results showed a statistically significant reduction in hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention, as well as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Participants reported that it was significantly easier to fall asleep. There was also a tendency to perceive less pain, but these results were not statistically significant. The compliance in this study was excellent. ConclusionIn this study, tactile massage appears to have had a significantly positive impact on ADHD core symptoms and the ability to fall asleep. The absence of adverse physiological changes and the excellent compliance, coupled with positive results, supports the idea that tactile massage may be considered safe and beneficial for adolescents with ADHD. Our findings need to be further investigated in future research.

Effects of Tactile Massage in Improving Older Residents' Psychological Health in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Loneliness, anxiety and depressive symptoms are common among older residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), which can negatively impact their quality of life and increase mortality rates. Addressing these psychological health issues is an important task for nursing staff. There is a need for easy and accessible interventions to improve older residents' negative emotions. Tactile massage (TM) is a form of touch therapy that induces oxytocin, which can help individuals feel relaxed, experience pleasure and reduce anxiety. TM can also provide a sense of security and care for individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TM in improving older residents' psychological health in LTCFs. In this study, we applied a two-arm randomised controlled trial research design. We used convenience sampling to enrol 55 older residents in three long-term care facilities who were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a comparison group. The intervention group received TM by research assistants on both hands for 15 min per time, twice a week for 4 weeks and the comparison group received regular care. Data were collected before and after the intervention. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. There were no significant differences in loneliness, anxiety, depressive symptoms, happiness, ear temperature, heart rate or diastolic blood pressure between the two groups after the intervention. However, the intervention group had significant improvements in comfort (B = 0.86, p < 0.001), relaxation (B = 1.00, p < 0.001), respiratory rate (B = -0.16, p = 0.021) and systolic blood pressure (B = - 4.17, p = 0.002) compared to the control group. TM can help older residents who live in LTCFs feel relaxed and comfortable. TM can be easily implemented as it requires no tools. We recommend that nursing staff and healthcare professionals incorporate TM as part of their care routines. They also can encourage family members to perform TM on residents during their visits to enhance residents' comfort and relaxation. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist was used for this paper. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05052138).

Effect of tactile massage on sleep of inpatient female cancer patients

Effect of tactile massage on sleep of inpatient female cancer patients

A qualitative study-Patient experience of tactile massage after stroke.

AimThe aim was to evaluate emotional experiences of gentle skin massage, combined with regular rehabilitation in patients shortly after being diagnosed with stroke.DesignA randomized study with two groups: standard individualized rehabilitation and tactile massage for 20 min three times per week (max nine times) or individual standardized rehabilitations.MethodsThis study applied a qualitative approach using semi‐structured questions to evaluate experiences of receiving tactile massage among patients with first‐time‐ever stroke. The interviews lasted between 6–25 min and analysed using manifest content analysis. Data was collected between 2015‐2017. This study applies to the COREQ checklist.ResultsEight patients >18 years of age participated. The participants experienced emotional worries especially during the night hours affecting their sleep negatively. Receiving tactile massage was reported to relax and to ease worries and anxiety momentarily, during the session and for a longer period. The results also show that physical touch generates feelings of closeness. The findings will be presented in two categories: Human touch and The future.

Health Problems and Complementary Medicine in the First Trimester Pregnancy

Gestation is a term which physiological, psychological and social changes are experienced in life and it is necessary to adapt to these changes. However, in every pregnancy, risky situations may occur which may have negative consequences for fetüs and mother. Among these risky cases, in the first trimester are spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, hyperemesis gravidarum. There were no studies on ectopic pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic disease when the literature was searched. It has been observed that most of your work was about nausea and vomiting seen in this period. However, it is observed that the results of these studies do not contain conclusive evidence. Bed rest, Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture have been used in the prevention of miscarriages. In hyperemesis gravidarum, it has been observed that many complementary medical methods such as ginger, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, lemon oil inhalation, mint oil, chamomile, moxibustion, tactile massage, hypnosis, acupuncture, acupressure and social support are used. Many complementary methods are similar to nursing in that they centre on the concept of holism. Therefore, information on complementary therapies and their ares of use should be included in nursing curriculums, nurses should be updated on these therapies through in-service trainings. Keyword : Complementary Medicine, First Trimester, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Nursing. DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-4-23

Comment on “Effects of Tactile Massage on Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study”

Comment on “Effects of Tactile Massage on Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study”

Tactile massage reduces rescue doses for pain and anxiety: an observational study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tactile massage (TM) on palliative care patients.MethodAn observational study at a hospice ward in Sweden was carried out. Forty-one...

Effects of Tactile Massage on Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Effects of Tactile Massage on Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Tactile massage as a nursing intervention in child and adolescent psychiatry: nurses' experiences.

Introduction There is limited research on tactile massage in child and adolescent psychiatry and no studies investigating experiences of providing tactile massage in child and adolescent psychiatry were found. Aim The aim was therefore to describe nurses' experiences of providing tactile massage as a nursing intervention in child and adolescent psychiatry. Method Ten nurses trained in tactile massage and employed at five different child and adolescent psychiatry clinics in Sweden participated in a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results Three categories emerged from the analysis. 'Confirming body and mind', 'Building a trusting relationship' and 'Instructing next of kin in tactile massage'. Attentiveness to and respect for the integrity of the children and adolescents were essential for creating a trusting relationship with them. Tactile massage was found to trigger various physical and mental processes in the children and adolescents. The nurses reflected on the impact of tactile massage on their nursing and on themselves as a person, stating that it had led to the development of self-reflection and attentiveness. Implications for practice Tactile massage addresses the individual's emotional and physiological responses and could therefore bring holistic nursing to child and adolescent psychiatry. It might also enhance attentiveness and sensitivity on the part of child and adolescent psychiatry nurses when acknowledging the needs of children and adolescents in psychiatric care.

Caring touch as a bodily anchor for patients after sustaining a motor vehicle accident with minor or no physical injuries - a mixed methods study.

BackgroundPatients who sustain a motor vehicle accident may experience long-term distress, even if they are uninjured or only slightly injured. There is a risk of neglecting patients with minor or no physical injuries, which might impact future health problems. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ subjective experiences and perspectives on pain and other factors of importance after an early nursing intervention consisting of “caring touch” (tactile massage and healing touch) for patients subjected to a motor vehicle accident with minor or no physical injuries.MethodsA mixed method approach was used. The qualitative outcomes were themes derived from individual interviews. The quantitative outcomes were measured by visual analogue scale for pain (VAS, 0-100), sense of coherence (SOC), post-traumatic stress (IES-R) and health status (EQ-5D index and EQ-5D self-rated health). Forty-one patients of in total 124 eligible patients accepted the invitation to participate in the study. Twenty-seven patients completed follow-up after 6 months whereby they had received up to eight treatments with either tactile massage or healing touch.ResultsPatients reported that caring touch may assist in trauma recovery by functioning as a physical “anchor” on the patient’s way of suffering, facilitating the transition of patients from feeling as though their body is “turned off” to becoming “awake”. By caring touch the patients enjoyed a compassionate care and experience moments of pain alleviation. The VAS pain ratings significantly decreased both immediately after the caring touch treatment sessions and over the follow-up period. The median scores for VAS (p < 0.001) and IES-R (p 0.002) had decreased 6 months after the accident whereas the EQ-5D index had increased (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences of the SOC or EQ-5D self-rated health scores over time.ConclusionsIn the care of patients suffering from a MVA with minor or no physical injuries, a caring touch intervention is associated with patients’ report of decreased pain and improved wellbeing up to 6 months after the accident.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT02610205. Date 25 November 2015.

Tactile Massage as Part of the Caring Act: A Qualitative Study in Short-Term Emergency Wards.

The aim of this study was to illuminate the nursing staff's lived experiences and meaning in giving tactile massage (TM) while caring for patients in short-term emergency ward. Data were collected through individual qualitative interviews with six nurses and eight assistant nurses working with TM in short-term emergency wards in two hospitals in Sweden. The narratives were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Nurses experienced providing TM to patients as a present awareness in connection with compassion for the patient. TM provided the nurses with a tool to ease patient suffering and pain. Three dimensions were found where touch became a tool of doing, was an aware presence as a mindful being, and was embodied in a human-to-human connection with a changed caregiver. Given the current high-tech health care system with overcrowded units and a shortage of nursing staff, TM could be included as a caring tool to improve the caring in caregiving, allowing nurses to act in aware presence by touch to encourage health and well-being for both the patient and themselves.

Short- and long-term effects of tactile massage on salivary cortisol concentrations in Parkinson's disease: a randomised controlled pilot study.

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder with limited knowledge about the normal function and effects of non-pharmacological therapies on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The aim of the study was to analyse the basal diurnal and total secretion of salivary cortisol in short- and long-term aspects of tactile massage (TM).MethodsDesign: Prospective, Controlled and Randomised Multicentre Trial.Setting and interventions: Forty-five women and men, aged 50–79 years, were recruited. Twenty-nine of them were blindly randomised to tactile massage (TM) and 16 of them to the control group, rest to music (RTM). Ten interventions were given during 8 weeks followed by a 26 weeks of follow up. Salivary cortisol was collected at 8 am, 1 pm, 8 pm, and 8 am the next day, on five occasions. With the first and eighth interventions, it was collected immediately before and after intervention.Main outcome measures: The primary aim was to assess and compare cortisol concentrations before and immediately after intervention and also during the follow-up period. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration and severity of PD, effects of interventional time-point of the day, and levodopa doses on cortisol concentration.ResultsThe median cortisol concentrations for all participants were 16.0, 5.8, 2.8, and 14.0 nmol/L at baseline, later reproduced four times without significant differences. Cortisol concentrations decreased significantly after TM intervention but no change in diurnal salivary cortisol pattern was found. The findings of reduced salivary cortisol concentrations immediately after the interventions are in agreement with previous studies. However, there was no significant difference between the TM and control groups. There were no significant correlations between cortisol concentrations and age, gender, BMI, time-point for intervention, time interval between anti-parkinson pharmacy intake and sampling, levodopa doses, duration, or severity of PD.ConclusionsDiurnal salivary cortisol rhythm was normal. Salivary cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced after the TM intervention and after RTM, but there were no significant differences between the groups and no sustained long-term effect. No associations were seen between salivary cortisol concentration and clinical and/or pharmacological characteristics.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov, NCT01734876 and FoU Sweden 108881.

Tactile massage or healing touch: Caring touch for patients in emergency care – A qualitative study

AimThis study aimed to explore the patient's lived experience of receiving caring touch after sustaining an acute illness or disease while being cared for in a short-term emergency ward. BackgroundAdmissions to short-term emergency ward for an acute illness or disease is often associated with increased stress, anxiety and pain. The caring touch in focus in this study is tactile massage and healing touch. A complementary treatment of tactile massage or healing touch was offered to patients to complement their routine nursing care. MethodsThis study has a qualitative interpretive design that explored two complementary approaches.Twenty-five patients (16 women and 9 men) admitted to the short-term emergency ward for acute conditions agreed to participate in the study and were individually interviewed. Data were collected from between January and May 2011. Data was analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutical method. ResultsThe patients’ lived experience indicated that caring touch resulted in an existential togetherness characterised by a nonverbal peacefulness, trust, consolation, safety, and a restoration of what it means to be a being human. However, some patients also expressed ambivalence towards caring touch. There also seemed to be a fine line between feelings of intimacy, sensuality, and sexuality, especially among the male patients. ConclusionIn the presence of an acute illness or disease, caring touch may provide trust and consolation for the patient's body and soul which may help to restore his or her integrity. The complexity of intimacy is an aspect that needs further study.

Tactile massage and healing touch –caring touch for patients in emergency care – a qualitative study

Abstract Aim This study aimed to explore the patient's lived experience of receiving caring touch after sustaining an acute illness or disease while being cared for in a short-term emergency ward. Background Admissions to short-term emergency ward for an acute illness or disease is often associated with increased stress, anxiety and pain. The caring touch in focus in this study is tactile massage and healing touch. A complementary treatment of tactile massage or healing touch was offered to patients to complement their routine nursing care. Methods This study has a qualitative interpretive design that explored two complementary approaches. Twenty-five patients (16 women and 9 men) admitted to the short-term emergency ward for acute conditions agreed to participate in the study and were individually interviewed. Data were collected from between January and May 2011. Data was analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutical method. Results The patients’ lived experience indicated that caring touch resulted in an existential togetherness characterised by a nonverbal peacefulness, trust, consolation, safety, and a restoration of what it means to be a being human. However, some patients also expressed ambivalence towards caring touch. There also seemed to be a fine line between feelings of intimacy, sensuality, and sexuality, especially among the male patients. Conclusion In the presence of an acute illness or disease, caring touch may provide trust and consolation for the patient's body and soul which may help to restore his or her integrity. The complexity of intimacy is an aspect that needs further study.

P02.185. The effects of tactile massage (TM) on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose in a sample of women suffering from primary insomnia

The overall objective of this pilot study was to study the direct effects of tactile massage (TM) on blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose in a sample of women suffering from primary insomni ...

Measuring possible effect on health-related quality of life by tactile massage or relaxation in patients with type 2 diabetes

The aim was to study the effect of tactile massage versus relaxation exercises on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with type 2 diabetes, at primary-health-care centres in Stockholm county. The study was carried out as a parallel-arm clinical trial. Patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c of 6-8%, aged 35-75, with oral anti-diabetic treatment were included. In all, 26 and 27 attendants in the TM and relaxation group, respectively, entered the study and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The attendants were offered one weekly session of TM or the use of relaxation exercises at least once weekly for a total of 10 weeks. HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire at baseline, after 10 weeks of therapy and 3 months after the completion of the study. Owing to multiple comparisons the level of statistical significance was set at p<0.01, and values of p>0.01 and <0.05 were regarded as borderline values. One difference over time between the groups was reaching a borderline value in favour of the relaxation group, i.e. the scale of "Role functioning, physical" (p<0.05). Based on the findings in this study, we conclude that stress-relieving techniques with TM or relaxation CD have limited, if any, beneficial effects on health-related quality of life in Swedish-born patients with type 2 diabetes. We cannot, however, rule out that specific patient groups with higher levels of perceived stress could show benefits with this kind of treatment.

Tactile massage and hypnosis as a health promotion for nurses in emergency care--a qualitative study.

BackgroundThis study explores nursing personnel's experiences and perceptions of receiving tactile massage and hypnosis during a personnel health promotion project. Nursing in a short term emergency ward environment can be emotionally and physically exhausting due to the stressful work environment and the high dependency patient care. A health promotion project integrating tactile massage and hypnosis with conventional physical activities was therefore introduced for nursing personnel working in this setting at a large university hospital in Sweden.MethodsFour semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with volunteer nursing personnel participants after the health promotion project had been completed. There were 16 participants in the focus groups and there were 57 in the health promotion intervention. The discussions were transcribed verbatim and analysed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe findings indicated that tactile massage and hypnosis may contribute to reduced levels of stress and pain and increase work ability for some nursing personnel. The sense of well-being obtained in relation to health promotion intervention with tactile massage and hypnosis seemed to have positive implications for both work and leisure. Self-awareness, contentment and self-control may be contributing factors related to engaging in tactile massage and hypnosis that might help nursing personnel understand their patients and colleagues and helped them deal with difficult situations that occurred during their working hours.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the integration of tactile massage and hypnosis in personnel health promotion may be valuable stress management options in addition to conventional physical activities.

Is tactile massage (touch massage) a treatment option for primary insomnia?

The primary objective of the present trial was to study if tactile massage (TM) was equivalent to nurse led sleep counseling (SC) in the treatment of primary insomnia. In the randomized controlled ...

Tactile Massage or Relaxation Exercises Do Not Improve the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetics~!2009-12-22~!2010-03-25~!2010-04-28~!

A 0.8% reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c) by tactile massage (TM) in patients with diabetes has been shown in a pilot study. The present study was carried out in patients with type 2 diabetes at primary healthcare centers as a parallel-arm clinical study with intention-to-treat analysis, of 10 weeks of TM once/week (n=26) or relaxation using a compact disc once/week (n=27). Anthropometrics were measured, i.e. weight, height, waist and calculation of BMI, blood samples were drawn, i.e. fP-glucose, B-HbA1c, fS-insulin, high-sensitive P-CRP, S-TNF-alpha, S-Interleukin-6, S-Adiponectin, S-Leptin and fP-Ghrelin, urine was collected for 24 hours for catecholamines and cortisol, and questionnaires including lifestyle variables were completed at baseline, after the 10-week intervention and at a follow- up 3 months after the intervention. There was no significant change in HbA1c in either the TM or the relaxation group. Waist circumference was reduced in both groups (p=0.01) but mostly in the TM group, with an adjusted difference between the groups of 4.0 cm (95% confidence interval 1.6-6.4 cm). The S-Adiponectin level increased significantly in the TM group (p=0.0095). TM therapy could not be recommended as a general treatment in subjects with type 2 diabetes. However, further studies in patients with high perceived level of stress and in other patient groups could be of value. The significance of the reduced waist is unclear, but could be of some importance in the long run.

Tactile massage within the primary health care setting

This paper describes an observational study describing how Tactile Massage (TM) was integrated into Swedish clinical medical care, the impact of this initiative suggests a foundation for future research. Subjects completed three questionnaires pre- and post-tactile massage. These were: Sense of Coherence (SOC), an enlarged Health Index (HI) and the Borg CR10 scale. A convenience sample of forty-three subjects (37 women and 6 men) were referred to TM treatment for a range of problems including for pain, sleep disorders, inability to move, headache and tense body. Patients received 10 TM treatments, each lasting approx. 1h in length. The enlarged HI questionnaire indicated that eleven out of fourteen parameters were significantly affected according (p-values between 0.0015 and <0.001). These included energy, mood, tiredness, sleep, pain, movement, health, general health and physical health. Pain reduction was also significantly reduced using the Borg CR10 scale (p<0.001). TM seems to affect several dimensions of health, and this should be explored more fully in future research.