Massage as therapy for persons with intellectual disabilities: A review of the literature

Abstract

Persons with intellectual disabilities record a higher incidence of challenging behaviours than the general population. Massage therapy has frequently been applied to such persons to induce relaxation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy on relaxation and reduction of challenging behaviours. A literature search was conducted through various electronic databases; a total of 64 articles was generated but only seven met all inclusion criteria. These studies were evaluated in terms of (a) number of participants, (b) study setting, (c) methodology, (d) intervention pattern, (e) outcome measure of the intervention, and (f) major results. Evidence-based literature demonstrating the effectiveness of massage therapy in supporting clinical practice is extremely limited. Case study designs, large amounts of qualitative data and small sample sizes meant that the therapeutic effect of massage therapy could not be substantiated. Hence, future studies with randomized clinical trials or of experimental design are recommended.

Systematic Reviews of the Health or Health care of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review to Identify Gaps in the Evidence Base

“…Finally, there were seven 'other' reviews of non-pharmacological interventions, of which one was the Cochrane review investigating both behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions for aggression (Hassiotis & Hall 2009). In addition, reviews considered the following: the role of engagement in meaningful occupation in reducing challenging behaviour (Ball & Fazil 2013); varied intervention programmes to treat behavioural problems in children (Petrenko 2013); effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) on challenging behaviour (Walker & Snell 2013); effectiveness of massage therapy on relaxation and challenging behaviour (Chan & Tse 2011); effect of multisensory therapy on challenging, stereotypic and positive behaviour (Chan et al 2010); and effectiveness of multisensory therapy (Snoezelen) in relation to behaviour (Lotan & Gold 2009).…”

Effectiveness of interventions for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and mental health problems: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…6,7 Furthermore, challenging behaviour has been found to be hardly affected by massage therapy. 8 There is also limited evidence for the use of antipsychotic medication such as risperidone to reduce behaviour problems in people with intellectual disabilities, which also bear a high risk of serious adverse effects. [9][10][11] Available evidence from controlled studies is scarce when investigating specific interventions or combinations of interventions.…”

Pain Management in the Most Vulnerable Intellectual Disability: A Review

“…Massage is asserted to be effective in inducing relaxation and reducing challenging behaviors in people with intellectual disability. However, evidence-based literature demonstrating the effectiveness of massage therapy in supporting clinical practice is extremely limited [ 132 ].…”