Clarifying Definitions for the Massage Therapy Profession: the Results of the Best Practices Symposium†

Kennedy, Ann Blair; Cambron, Jerrilyn A.; Sharpe, Patricia A.; Travillian, Ravensara S.; Saunders, Ruth P.

doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v9i3.312

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Massage therapy (MT), an ancient form of medical technique, can be defined as a systematic manipulation of soft tissues of the body for pain reduction or other therapeutic purposes [ 1 ]. Archaeological studies have unearthed evidence of massage dating back to around 2700 BC, making it the forerunner of all other forms of massage and body work that exist today, from shiatsu to osteopathy [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials of massage

Zhang

Xiong

et al. 2021

Chin Med

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Objective To assess the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of massage, particularly whether necessary elements related to massage interventions were adequately reported. Methods A total of 8 electronic databases were systematically searched for massage RCTs published in English and Chinese from the date of their inception to June 22, 2020. Quality assessment was performed using three instruments, namely the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010 Checklist (37 items), the CONSORT Extension for NPT (Nonpharmacologic Treatments) 2017 checklist (18 items), and a self-designed massage-specific checklist (16 items) which included massage rationale, intervention and control group details. Descriptive statistics were additionally used to analyse the baseline characteristics of included trials. Results A total of 2,447 massage RCTs were identified, of which most (96.8%) were distributed in China. For the completeness of CONSORT, NPT Extension, and massage-specific checklists, the average reporting percentages were 50%, 10% and 45%, respectively. Of 68 assessed items in total (exclusion of 3 repeated items on intervention), 42 were poorly presented, including 18 CONSORT items, 15 NPT items, and 9 massage-specific items. Although the overall quality of reporting showed slightly improvement in articles published after 2010, the international (English) journals presented a higher score of the CONSORT and NPT items, while the Chinese journals were associated with the increased score of massage-specific items. Conclusion The quality of reporting of published massage RCTs is variable and in need of improvement. Reporting guideline “CONSORT extension for massage” should be developed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials of massage

Zhang

Xiong

et al. 2021

Chin Med

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“…Although a specialists symposium has created a consensus of massage as "a pattern and purposeful soft-tissue manipulation… for the intent of therapeutic change" [35], defining "massage" is still not simple. This is because massage often takes a holistic approach, and is elusive due to its diversity in the application purposes (therapy and wellbeing), the providers (health professionals and lay people), the application locations (public facilities and at home) and in the styles (Western and Eastern).…”

Section: What Is Massage?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Massage for Couples’ Wellbeing and Relationships: The Bridge between Positive Psychology and Massage

Naruse¹,

Moss²

2019

Health

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Although positive psychology interventions are generally aimed at individuals, when considering couples, a dyadic approach may be more effective. In terms of a couples' wellbeing, their relationship is one of the most important factors. As such, interventions targeted for both members' wellbeing via their relationship are likely to be of value. Currently, there exist limited dyadic positive activity interventions available in positive psychology, and notably, tactile intervention is lacking. Massage is the evidence based tactile health modality that has long history as a therapeutic intervention, as well as being one of the most natural human health-oriented behaviours. The current commentary argues for the link between positive psychology and massage, and that "Positive Massage" can be a bridge between the hitherto distinct entities of positive psychology and massage. Furthermore, based on the conceptual theoretical model of the link between Positive Massage and wellbeing, we propose that Positive Massage can be an effective positive intervention impacting on couples' wellbeing and enhancing their relationships.

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“…4 Nowadays, massage therapy is defined as a systematic manipulation of soft tissues of the body for pain reduction or other therapeutic purposes. 5 There are different styles of massage around the world, including Chinese massage (called "Tuina" starting from Ming dynasty (c. 1400)), Swedish massage, Thai massage, oil massage, and aromatherapy massage, etc. 6 Among them, Tuina has been identified as the most common type of massage, which includes a wide range of technical manipulations of pulling, pressing, tapping, shaking, vibrating, kneading, rolling, gliding and acupressure, and prescribed according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was noted that Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” described medicine as “being the art of rubbing,” and prescribed a combination of massage, proper diet, exercise, fresh air, and music to restore balance health 4 . Nowadays, massage therapy is defined as a systematic manipulation of soft tissues of the body for pain reduction or other therapeutic purposes 5 . There are different styles of massage around the world, including Chinese massage (called “Tuina” starting from Ming dynasty (c. 1400)), Swedish massage, Thai massage, oil massage, and aromatherapy massage, etc 6 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM): Extending the CONSORT statement

Zhang

Liang

Lau

et al. 2023

J Evidence Based Medicine

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Objectives Massage is a common therapy of nonpharmacological treatments, particularly in Tuina (Chinese massage) as its most common style, detailed guidance in reporting the intervention is warranted for its evaluation and replication. Based on the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials), we aimed to develop an Extension for Tuina/Massage, namely “The STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM).” Methods A group of professional clinicians, trialists, methodologists, developers of reporting guidelines, epidemiologists, statisticians, and editors has developed this STRICTOTM checklist through a standard methodology process recommended by the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency of Health Research) Network, including prospective registration, literature review, draft of the initial items, three rounds of the Delphi survey, consensus meeting, pilot test, and finalization of the guideline. Results A checklist of seven items (namely Tuina/Massage rationale, details of Tuina/Massage, intervention regimen, other components of the intervention, Tuina/Massage provider background, control or comparator interventions, and precaution measures), and 16 subitems were developed. Explanations and examples (E&E) for each item are also provided. Conclusions The working group hopes that the STRICTOTM, in conjunction with both the CONSORT statement and extension for nonpharmacologic treatment, can improve the reporting quality and transparency of Tuina/Massage clinical research.

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Clarifying Definitions for the Massage Therapy Profession: the Results of the Best Practices Symposium†

Cited by 20 publications

References 42 publications

Assessment of the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials of massage

Assessment of the reporting quality of randomised controlled trials of massage

Positive Massage for Couples’ Wellbeing and Relationships: The Bridge between Positive Psychology and Massage

STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM): Extending the CONSORT statement

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