Effects of massage for older adults

Patricia A. Sharpe, PhD, MPH, LMT; Harriet Williams, PhD; Michelle Granner, MS; Michele Hobart Prevention Research Center, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Univ. of South Carolina

(Note: This study appeared in the Fall issue of the Massage Therapy Journal.)

Objective: The objective was to test the effects of massage therapy on physical function; stress perception; sleep; and general well-being among older adults, compared to a guided relaxation control condition.

Design: After screening for eligibility and contraindications, physical clearance for participation was obtained. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to massage or guided relaxation. Sessions were provided twice weekly for four consecutive weeks. Functional assessments and interviews were conducted before the first session and after the last session.

Setting: Participants came to the university for all sessions where a massage room had been reserved for the study.

Participants: Forty-nine participants, aged 60+ completed the study (25 massage and 24 guided relaxation). Three-fourths of the participants were female; 88% white; 10% African American; and 2% Asian. Participants were independently living, relatively “well” older adults, rather than a clinically defined group of patients.

Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were range of motion at shoulder, hip and ankle by goniometer measurement; flexibility (chair sit-and-reach); tandem balance; agility (timed up-and-go test); general well-being (General Well-Being Scale, with subscales for anxiety; depression; positive well-being; self-control; vitality; and general health); Perceived Stress Scale; and Sleep (two items from the Philadelphia Sleep Quality Index).

Results: The massage group improved significantly more than the guided relaxation group on anxiety; depression; vitality; general health; positive well-being; timed up-and-go test; chair sit-and-reach test; shoulder abduction; and hip flexion.

Conclusion: Massage therapy has positive effects on psychosocial and functional health of older adults.