The Effect of Therapeutic Back Massage in Hypertensive Persons: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Hypertension, one of the most pervasive disease processes in the United States, can lead to target organ damage. Although there is no one cause of primary hypertension, the theory of an unchecked long-term stress response continues to be a valid argument. Conversely, eliciting the relaxation response may alter the course of the unchecked stress response. Massage therapists have suggested that their therapy elicits the relaxation response and therefore can decrease blood pressure (BP) and hypertension. This preliminary study tested the effects of a regularly applied back massage on the BP of patients with clinically diagnosed hypertension. In this experimental, pretest-posttest study, a 10-min back massage was given to the experimental group (n = 8), three times a week for 10 sessions. The control group (n = 6) relaxed in the same environment for 10 min, three times a week for 10 sessions. Analysis of variance determined systolic BP changed significantly, F(1, 12) = 17.90, p = .001, between groups over time as did the diastolic BP, F(1, 12) = 8.34, p = .014. Effect size was 2.25 for systolic pressure and 1.56 for diastolic pressure (alpha of .05 and power at .80). This preliminary study suggests that regular massage may lower BP in hypertensive persons.

Pilot Study Investigating the Effects of Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage on Subjective Stress Experience

“…Both physiologic and psychologic parameters were recorded; most studies found decreases in heart rate (HR)* , 3,4,5,6,7,8 and in blood pressure (BP),* , 3,4,5,6,7,8 and reductions in anxiety levels,* ,3,4,5,9 depression scores, 9 salivary cortisol levels,* ,9 and stress levels, as well as improvements of mood. 10 The article by Moyer et al combined 37 primary studies, and concluded that massage treatments as such are effective in single-dose as well as multiple-dose applications.…”

A randomized trial of massage therapy after heart surgery

“…23 However, when foot reflexology (specific pressure techniques to reflex areas) was provided after coronary artery bypass surgery, anxiety was lower in control patients. 24 The physiologic effects of massage therapy include decreased systolic blood pressure, 16,19,[24][25][26] diastolic blood pressure 25,26 and heart and respiratory rates 16,27 in hypertensive, cancer, and hospice patients as well as patients after coronary artery bypass grafting. In comparison, head-injury patients in a critical care unit did not have improved physiologic stress indicators after massage therapy.…”

Massage therapy: understanding the mechanisms of action on blood pressure. A scoping review

“…Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated significant reductions in SBP and DBP of individuals classified as prehypertensive or hypertensive (Givi 2013, Supa'at et al, 2013, Jefferson et al 2010, Olney et al, 2005, Hernandez-Reif 2000. Additionally, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 studies involving 1,962 individuals with essential hypertension concluded that, when combined with antihypertensive medication, MT is more effective than antihypertensive drug treatment alone in lowering SBP (mean difference (MD): -6.92 (-10.05, -3.80);P<0.0001) and DBP (MD: -3.63 (-6.18, -1.09);P=0.005) (Xiong et al, 2015).…”