massage and bodywork professionals
a community of practitioners
RESEARCH : Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going? And who brought the cookies?
For anyone interested in research and wanting to know what's current and what the plan is, there is a very informative document on the IJTMB which covers a lot of information on the subject.
In May of 2009 a bunch of people (educators, researchers and practitioners) got together for a brainstorming session on the topic of massage therapy research at the North Amercian Research Conference on Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Minneapolis. They covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. Some of the information in this document may relate to your practice, so I recommend you print it out, get a cup of tea and read it at the kitchen table. It's an easy read and has a lot of information in it.
The document covers the history of massage research, how much has been done in the past, the challenges that are unique to the field, methodological weakesses and limitations, whole systems research (and yes, reductionism) and possible areas in which research needs to be done in the future. One area that I found interesting is the possibility of studies into brain activity with neuroimaging studies. Also, the area that made me say "that's cool" is possible research into what takes place with the therapist during massage. Possible research into body awareness is also interesting - it made references to mastectomy and sexual abuse research, but I also wondered about eating disorders and people addicted to plastic surgery.
One area which all therapists might pay close attention to is the "Established Effects" section of the document. This covers research findings in the areas of:
- Effect on Mood
- Musculoskeletal pain including low back pain
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Lymphedema
- Cancer treatment
- Stress
- Oxytocin levels
Within each of these areas specific references are given to individual studies. Perhaps we should consider including these references in our marketing materials?
The problem of 'within group comparisons on between group designs' was addressed in the document again (this was described in some detail in the affective massage therapy thread) . The conclusions of the document also addressed the most important aspects of research - bridging the disconnect between researchers and clinicians, defining protocols, funding issues, the role of massage in integrative health and several other issues.
I'm starting this thread for questions that arise from the document.
Does anyone have any questions after reading the document?
How informative did you find it?
Were you surprised by any of the content?
I thought the "lets see where we're at and where we're going" meeting was a good idea. Will these types of meetings continue to happen in the future periodically?
In May of 2009 a bunch of people (educators, researchers and practitioners) got together for a brainstorming session on the topic of massage therapy research at the North Amercian Research Conference on Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Minneapolis. They covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. Some of the information in this document may relate to your practice, so I recommend you print it out, get a cup of tea and read it at the kitchen table. It's an easy read and has a lot of information in it.
The document covers the history of massage research, how much has been done in the past, the challenges that are unique to the field, methodological weakesses and limitations, whole systems research (and yes, reductionism) and possible areas in which research needs to be done in the future. One area that I found interesting is the possibility of studies into brain activity with neuroimaging studies. Also, the area that made me say "that's cool" is possible research into what takes place with the therapist during massage. Possible research into body awareness is also interesting - it made references to mastectomy and sexual abuse research, but I also wondered about eating disorders and people addicted to plastic surgery.
One area which all therapists might pay close attention to is the "Established Effects" section of the document. This covers research findings in the areas of:
- Effect on Mood
- Musculoskeletal pain including low back pain
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Lymphedema
- Cancer treatment
- Stress
- Oxytocin levels
Within each of these areas specific references are given to individual studies. Perhaps we should consider including these references in our marketing materials?
The problem of 'within group comparisons on between group designs' was addressed in the document again (this was described in some detail in the affective massage therapy thread) . The conclusions of the document also addressed the most important aspects of research - bridging the disconnect between researchers and clinicians, defining protocols, funding issues, the role of massage in integrative health and several other issues.
I'm starting this thread for questions that arise from the document.
Does anyone have any questions after reading the document?
How informative did you find it?
Were you surprised by any of the content?
I thought the "lets see where we're at and where we're going" meeting was a good idea. Will these types of meetings continue to happen in the future periodically?
Views: 103
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Marissa on
-
Very interesting! Worth the read, maybe twice to fully grasp everything that was concluded or not concluded as the case may be. Again, as per previous posts, the actual research involving the therapist-client relationship would be a great study. Highly unlikely to be conclusive due to all the unknown/unspoken/or poorly verbalized variables/"feelings" and transference. I think that it invokes excitement! Simply due to the fact that as therapists, we are always looking for the "problem". We are "helpers" and as you stated "catalysts" of "fixing" problems. It's exciting to think of what could be just around the corner that we haven't had our eyes opened to as of yet.
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on
-
Also research never seems to describe the techniques or modalities used in any detail. Just refer to it as MT
A very valid point, Rick.
-
Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on
-
Actually, I've found the more recent studies do include the details of the session. Some even describe the environment and the lubricants used; very MT friendly. That's the value of having an MT in the study. Here are a couple with good descriptions:
Stroke Study
T. Fields -Massage for Depressed PG Women
Rick Britton said:I am definitely not research literate. Most of it seems far away from the experiences my clients have in my practice and, until recently, I could see little relevance. Also research never seems to describe the techniques or modalities used in any detail. Just refer to it as MT... well that is a very, very wide range of possibilities right there
-
Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
-
Good point, Robin!
Robin Byler Thomas said:Actually, I've found the more recent studies do include the details of the session. Some even describe the environment and the lubricants used; very MT friendly. That's the value of having an MT in the study. Here are a couple with good descriptions:
Stroke Study
Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women.
Rick Britton said:I am definitely not research literate. Most of it seems far away from the experiences my clients have in my practice and, until recently, I could see little relevance. Also research never seems to describe the techniques or modalities used in any detail. Just refer to it as MT... well that is a very, very wide range of possibilities right there
© 2024 Created by ABMP.
Powered by
