Tactile Massage Research Articles

Working with tactile massage—A grounded theory about the energy controlling system

The purpose of this study was to acquire a theoretical understanding of what it is like to work as a tactile massage therapist (TMT). There is insufficient knowledge in this area--despite increasing demand and implementation of tactile massage; so 26 female TMTs were interviewed (6 interview groups in Stockholm County). Grounded theory was used to analyse the data. The analysis resulted in a theoretical model that explains how TMTs individually underwent a transformation in which they learned about the energy-controlling system (energy takers, energy returners, and energy controllers) and managed to implement this demanding treatment, while maintaining health and inner balance in order to have total presence during treatment sessions. Results showed that total presence was crucial for implementing high-quality treatment, and inability to control energy may pose a risk to inner balance and health among TMTs.

Tactile massage and severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy – women's experiences

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a condition with an obscure aetiology. The treatment is symptomatic but there is a lack of alternative treatments. Tactile massage is known to give relaxation and increased well-being in connection with different illnesses, but has never been studied on women with severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (SNVP). The aim of this study was to describe hospitalized women's experiences of SNVP and of tactile massage. A phenomenological method was used. Ten hospitalized women with SNVP were included. Each woman was given tactile massage on three separate occasions. After the final massage an open interview was used covering both the experience of severe nausea and vomiting, and of tactile massage. The findings revealed an essential meaning summarizing the experience: to obtain a relieving moment of rest and access to the whole body when nausea rules life. When nausea is experienced as controlling a woman's life, tactile massage is experienced as promoting relaxation and gives her an opportunity to regain access to her body. The findings suggest that tactile massage is a good alternative and complement to traditional treatment of SNVP.

Kvinnors upplevelser av taktil massage under forlossningens latensfas

Massage during childbirth has a potential to decrease pain and anxiety. A special vulnerable group are women with prolonged latent phase (cervix dilation not more than 3 cm), since a prolonged labour is connected to several delivery complications. The aim of the study reported here was to describe women's experiences of tactile massage during the latent phase of labour. 10 primiparous women, who had received tactile massage for 30 minutes after admission to the delivery unit, were interviewed one day after childbirth. The interviews were tape-recorded and analysed using a phenomenological method. The setting was Södra Älvsborgs Hospital, Borås, Sweden. The essential structure indicates that the massage was a turning point that put them ‘back on track’. A turning point means that that the process of childbirth was changed. Being ‘back on track’ implies for the woman to get further in the process by releasing her thoughts and follow the process of childbirth. Thereby the woman could relax and recover her strength. The essential structure can be further described by its three themes: to relax and recover one's strength, to put the thoughts out of mind, to have somebody present for the woman.

Perception of tactile massage as a complement to other forms of pain relief in rheumatic disease

To investigate how patients with rheumatic disease perceive tactile massage as a complement to other pain alleviation methods. A phenomenographic approach with semi-structured interviews was employed on a strategic sample of 14 patients with various rheumatic diseases, both inflammatory and non-inflammatory, who had been admitted to Spenshult Rheumatic Hospital. Three descriptive categories with a total of nine conceptions emerged. The descriptive categories were: experiencing alleviation, experiencing trust, and gaining insight. Experiencing alleviation described how patients experience relaxation, pleasure and respite. Experiencing trust described how patients experience a sense of security, confirmation and inner peace. Gaining insight described how patients get to know themselves, see possibilities, and experience wholeness. When caring for patients who have a chronic illness involving considerable changes to their lives, it is important for health professionals not only to be aware of their physical needs but also to take account of the whole person. This study demonstrates the importance of offering patients a complement to conventional treatment. Tactile massage is a method that promotes a holistic view of patients with chronic pain as well as allowing them to find a new focus in terms of the disease and how they cope with it in their daily lives.

Taktil massage vid stroke och livskvalitet

Stroke is the third largest cause of death in Sweden. A major aim of rehabilitation is that persons who have had a stroke should be able, despite reduction of functional abilities, to experience a good life satisfaction. In addition to traditional methods of rehabilitation, various complementary methods are being tested, including massage.Aim: To investigate the importance of tactile massage for recovery and well being of stroke patients.Method: A randomised controlled study carried out at a Swedish geriatric clinic, 1998-1999. A total of 35 patients diagnosed with a brain infarction were included, of those 5 were excluded in the first two weeks. Eighteen received tactile massage while 17 formed a control group. The patient’s ADL functions and quality of life according to the Nottingham Health Profile were measured. Medication for pain, lack of sleep, depression, and anxiety were registered up until four weeks after their discharge.Results: The patients who received tactile massage experienced significantly higher quality of life and improved their ADL functions compared with the control group. The massage group made clear progress in terms of incontinence, movement mobility, and hygiene while the control group improved marginally. The massage group used less medication, in particular for the relieve of pain and depressionKey words: stroke, tactile massage, quality of life, ADL

Tactile massage improves glycaemic control in women with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate how tactile massage (TM), short term and over time, affects blood glucose, stress hormones and well‐being in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, at a primary health care centre in the South Western Health Care Region of Stockholm.The study was carried out as a pilot. Women aged 35 years and older with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Eleven participants completed the study and eight patients retained their diabetes treatment. The patients received tactile, whole‐body massage for 60 minutes once a week for 10 weeks. Before the massage treatments, one week after and 12 weeks after that, blood samples were taken, body measurements were made and questionnaires were completed (n=11).The results for all patients (n=11) showed decreases in blood glucose in connection with the massage treatments (p<0.05). In addition, the results for these patients showed a significant reduction of B‐HbA1c from measurement before the massage treatments, mean 6.3, one week after finishing the massage treatments, mean 5.4 (p<0.01), and 12 weeks after the massage treatments, mean 5.4 (p<0.05). This was also found when the three patients who had their medication changed (because of the risk of hypoglycaemia) were excluded (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found regarding the hormones oxytocin, CRF )cortico‐releasing hormone) and ACTH (adenocorticotrophin hormone).This study is the first of its kind to show improved metabolic control (B‐HbA1c) in diabetic patients who have received TM. Although theories have been put forward, the mechanisms behind this change are unclear. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.