Research Powerpoint
MASSAGE THERAPY 'S EFFECT ON FUNCTIONALITY:
Levels of Evidence
This paper will present and outline four scholarly primary research articles and one systematic review all published in recent years and related to the topic of decreasing pain while improving functionality with massage therapy. The method of each study will be presented and the levels of evidence according to the published hierarchy, by Polit and Beck (2012). Lastly, I will provide a summary of the things that is known and things still left to be discovered regarding the complementary intervention that is Massage Therapy.
Empirical Literature
Little, P., Lewith, G., Webley, F., Evans, M., Beattie, A., Middleton, K., et al. (2008). Randomised Controlled Trial of Alexander Technique Lessons, Exercise, and Massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. BMJ , 337, 438-441. (Level of Evidence: II) The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness in three areas: Alexander technique lessons, exercise implementation and massage therapies as related to chronic and recurrent back pain. A total of 579 patients with chronic and recurrent back pain were randomly assigned to 4 groups; 144 were assigned to normal care (which consisted of medication), 147 were assigned to massage, while, 144 was assigned to the Alexander technique lessons; and half of each group were randomized to exercise prescriptions. The interventions included, normal care (control), six sessions of massage, 6-24 lessons of the Alexander technique, and a prescription for exercise from a doctor with nurse delivered behavioral counseling. These group outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 months, and one year using postal questionnaires with two mailings. Those that did not respond to the mailings also received telephone call. Data entry was blind to the study group. This study concludes that One on one lessons of Alexander technique from registered teachers have long term benefits for patients with Chronic Back
Levels of Evidence
This paper will present and outline four scholarly primary research articles and one systematic review all published in recent years and related to the topic of decreasing pain while improving functionality with massage therapy. The method of each study will be presented and the levels of evidence according to the published hierarchy, by Polit and Beck (2012). Lastly, I will provide a summary of the things that is known and things still left to be discovered regarding the complementary intervention that is Massage Therapy.
Empirical Literature
Little, P., Lewith, G., Webley, F., Evans, M., Beattie, A., Middleton, K., et al. (2008). Randomised Controlled Trial of Alexander Technique Lessons, Exercise, and Massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. BMJ , 337, 438-441. (Level of Evidence: II) The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness in three areas: Alexander technique lessons, exercise implementation and massage therapies as related to chronic and recurrent back pain. A total of 579 patients with chronic and recurrent back pain were randomly assigned to 4 groups; 144 were assigned to normal care (which consisted of medication), 147 were assigned to massage, while, 144 was assigned to the Alexander technique lessons; and half of each group were randomized to exercise prescriptions. The interventions included, normal care (control), six sessions of massage, 6-24 lessons of the Alexander technique, and a prescription for exercise from a doctor with nurse delivered behavioral counseling. These group outcomes were measured at baseline, 3 months, and one year using postal questionnaires with two mailings. Those that did not respond to the mailings also received telephone call. Data entry was blind to the study group. This study concludes that One on one lessons of Alexander technique from registered teachers have long term benefits for patients with Chronic Back
References: Little, P., Lewith, G., Webley, F., Evans, M., Beattie, A., Middleton, K., et al. (2008). Randomised Controlled Trial of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic Seers, K., Crichton, N., Martin, J., Coulson, K., & Carroll, D. (2008, July 4). A Randomdised Controlled Trial to assess the Effecctiveness of a Single Sesson of Nurse Administered Massage for Short Dion, L., Rodgers, N., Cutshell, S., Cordes M.E., Bauer, B., Cassivi S. D., Cha, S.: Effects of Massage on Pain Management for thoracic Surgery Patients; Int J Ther Massage Bodywork, 2011;4(2):2-6.