The purposes of this study were (1) to investigate the effectiveness of two different levels of massage on the depression of spinal motoneuron excitability (as demonstrated by peak-to-peak H-reflex amplitude changes), (2) to investigate the presence of any gender effects in relation to massage, and (3) to describe a method used to quantify the amount of pressure exerted during two different intensities of massage. Two levels of massage were quantified and defined as light massage (LM) and deep massage (DM). These levels of massage corresponded to pressures of 1.25 and 2.50 kPa (5 and 10 in H2O), respectively. The therapist, before beginning the investigation, was trained to deliver these pressures. Ten peak-to-peak H-reflex recordings were elicited from the triceps surae muscle of each of 20 neurologically healthy subjects (10 male, 10 female) (mean age = 22.6 years) during five control and the two massage conditions. Each condition was 3 minutes in duration. Significant differences were found among the resulting means. The peak-to-peak H-reflex amplitudes recorded during the DM condition were reduced in comparison with those recorded during the LM condition. The peak-to-peak H-reflex amplitudes during both massage conditions were reduced in comparison with those recorded during the control conditions. These changes were noted against a stable M-response. This suggests that the mechanism involved in the observed inhibitory response is pressure sensitive, with DM bringing about a greater inhibitory response than did LM. No differential effects attributable to gender differences were found. These results will serve to define massage characteristics in an ongoing study investigating the effect of massage in persons with a spinal cord injury.
We conducted a double-blind placebo study to investigate the claim that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) improves the cognitive status of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Of 111 children diagnosed with CP (aged 4 to 12 years), only 75 were suitable for neuropsychological testing, assessing attention, working memory, processing speed, and psychosocial functioning. The children received 40 sessions of HBO2 or sham treatment over a 2-month period. Children in the active treatment group were exposed for 1 hour to 100% oxygen at 1.75 atmospheres absolute (ATA), whereas those in the sham group received only air at 1.3 ATA. Children in both groups showed better self-control and significant improvements in auditory attention and visual working memory compared with the baseline. However, no statistical difference was found between the two treatments. Furthermore, the sham group improved significantly on eight dimensions of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, whereas the active treatment group improved only on one dimension. Most of these positive changes persisted for 3 months. No improvements were observed in either group for verbal span, visual attention, or processing speed.
The results recorded in study 1 are comparable to those obtained with the subjects in the prone position. Based on these results, the supine position was adopted as the testing position for study 2. Study 2 further showed a decrease in H-reflex amplitude concomitant with massage in persons with SCI, but no long-term effects were noted.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.