A pragmatic investigation into the effects of massage therapy on the self efficacy of multiple sclerosis clients

Correlates of self-reported physical function in individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: does self-efficacy matter?

“…In the context of chronic incurable disease/disability, an individual can achieve a healthy outlook 25 and individuals need to be empowered and compelled to take steps to support their own optimal health and wellbeing. 33 Lower perceptions of physical function (i.e., mobility and fine motor function) among individuals with SCI/D are associated with lower self-efficacy.…”

“…Examples of existing intervention studies suggest that self-efficacy and physical function in individuals with SCI/D share strong ties and demonstrate a broad range of possible interventions that could support these improvements from less invasive (e.g., massage therapy and peer mentoring) to more invasive (e.g., surgery) intervention strategies. 5,24,25 For example, in a study of individuals with multiple sclerosis, an 8-week massage therapy intervention focused on improving self-efficacy through therapeutic massage resulted in improvements of self-efficacy within 4 weeks of the start of intervention and sustained 4 weeks after the intervention ended. 25 The majority of participants saw improvements in self-efficacy, and these improvements were higher among people with less education.…”

“…5,24,25 For example, in a study of individuals with multiple sclerosis, an 8-week massage therapy intervention focused on improving self-efficacy through therapeutic massage resulted in improvements of self-efficacy within 4 weeks of the start of intervention and sustained 4 weeks after the intervention ended. 25 The majority of participants saw improvements in self-efficacy, and these improvements were higher among people with less education. 24 Finally, in another study of individuals with tetraplegia who had received reconstructive hand surgery to regain hand function, researchers found that the resulting increase in self-efficacy related to hand control parlayed into additional functional improvements and further increases in self-efficacy.…”

“…5 Implications Previous studies have suggested that self-efficacy and physical activity (related to physical function) are modifiable factors that influence perceptions of physical ability as well as functional limitations associated with chronic disease and aging. 5,17,25 Self-efficacy has also been linked to other aspects of health and well-being. Negative perceptions of control and self-efficacy are associated with decreased optimism.…”

Massage therapy research review

“…In the first of these, the Multiple Sclerosis Efficacy Survey was used post massage therapy and at a 4-week and 8-week follow-up period [60]. The massage therapy group showed significantly more improvement on this survey than the waitlist control group at mid-treatment, end of treatment and at the 4-week follow-up period but not at the 8-week follow-up, surprisingly suggesting that the positive effects of the massage were sustained for as long as four weeks.…”