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Measuring Energy Work Effectively in Massage Therapy Research
Have you thought about whole system research (WSR) in massage therapy? Whole system research attempts to measure all the effects of a massage therapy session; including energy work. This is exciting scientific research that is inclusive and collaborative.
Go here for a Wikipedia explanation of WSR.
Every once in a while, I'll copy a WSR abstract for your review and include an attachment to the whole study as they become available and I become aware of them. Please feel free to do the same.
Here is an abstract of a current investigation to measure the effects of energy work in a MT session (you may recognize a couple of the authors).
Main objectives:
1. Evaluate the physical, psychological and emotional effects of MT using traditional paper based measures.
2. Evaluation of the whole-person effects of MT using GDV electro-photography.
3. Evaluate the correlation between the paper based and GDV electro-photographic outcomes.
Title: Evaluating the use of electro-photography for measuring whole-person changes associated with massage therapy
Authors: Jolie Haun, PhD, LMT; Gary Schwartz, PhD; Mark E. Boccuzzi
ABSTRACT
Background: Research has demonstrated the effects of massage therapy using both physiological and psychological measures. However, little research has adequately demonstrated the whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy, often seen by massage therapists in practice. Purpose: This research was designed to evaluate the whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy using electro-photography, Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV). The objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the physical, psychological and emotional effects of massage therapy using traditional paper-based measures; (2) conduct an evaluation of the whole-person effects of massage therapy using GDV electro-photography; and (3) to evaluate the correlation between the paper-based and GDV electro-photographic outcome measures. Significance: The findings of this study can identify the feasibility and validity of measuring whole-person energetic effects of massage therapy using advanced innovative GDV electro-photography data. Findings can also replicate the physical, mental, and integrative outcomes of massage therapy treatment found in previous research. Methods: Four licensed massage therapists provided a treatment group of 24 healthy volunteer participants with a single massage therapy treatment. Massage therapy treatments included a 50-minute full body relaxation massage. Each participant provided paper-based data four times, before and after providing GDV electro-photography imaging data which was conducted pre- and post massage treatment session. Standardized paper-based measures included visual analogue pain, muscle tension, and stress scales; and the Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale, a visual analogue assessment with six scales including, overall wellbeing, physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual wellbeing. Findings: Data collection was completed July 4, 2009. Preliminary data analysis suggests differences between pre- and post- massage session for the massage therapy treatment group. Data is currently being analyzed; statistical findings are forthcoming and will be prepared for presentation.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on
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Squirel, you don't give yourself enough credit; he should be so lucky. He'd probably be studing you next!
Here's his e-mail address: gschwart@email.arizona.edu; write him. He's another professor of psychology.
Vlad said:Sure, he wouldn't pay attention to me. I'm a nobody.
I would seriously like to meet him though.
Robin Byler Thomas said:Good questions Vlad; don't know. You could ask him?
Vlad said:I've a couple of Q's:
Who funded that study?
Is Schwartz going to Seattle?
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
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The Foundation was represented at Festival last year by Cliff Korn and will have a booth this year in KY also! They will have a seat on the Symposium Panel on Friday night!
Kim Goral said:Glenn Hymel
Karen Boulanger
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This has become a very attractive list Kim and Vlad have suggested Mike. Will you also be accepting applications for research presentations?
Mike Hinkle said:Will add!
Vlad said:My serious addition to the list by request would be:
Martha Brown Menard.
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Permalink Reply by Kim Goral on
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Ohh, I like your thinking re: presentations. This could be a fantastic learning opportunity for therapists
Robin Byler Thomas said:This has become a very attractive list Kim and Vlad have suggested Mike. Will you also be accepting applications for research presentations?
Mike Hinkle said:Will add!
Vlad said:My serious addition to the list by request would be:
Martha Brown Menard.
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Here's the abstract to another whole system research (WSR) pilot study; this time investigating the effects of TCM and Naturopathic Medicine (NM) on TMD.
The results of this study show TCM and NM had better results than standard care, which consisted of state of the art speciality care (SC).
All three of these interventions (TCM, NM, and SC) utilize some form of massage.
I believe massage therapy could have been a 4th intervention showing effectiveness of its own. I say this because we employ more than just mechanical manipulation of the soft tissue; we also offer stress relief and encourage lifestyle changes to support the different modalities we use, ie exercise, stretching, eating right, getting enought sleep, ect.
WSR investigates the whole context of the client/therapist session using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. I've highlighted the conclusions below and will attach the whole study in PDF form at the end of this comment.
J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):475-87.
A pilot whole systems clinical trial of traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.
Ritenbaugh C, Hammerschlag R, Calabrese C, Mist S, Aickin M, Sutherland E, Leben J, Debar L, Elder C, Dworkin SF.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. ritenbau@email.arizona.edu
Comment in:
J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2009 Mar;9(1):18-20.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of studying whole systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Naturopathic medicine (NM) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and to determine whether there is indication to support further research. DESIGN: A pilot study using a randomized controlled clinical trial design of whole system TCM and NM versus state-of-the-art specialty care (SC). SETTING/LOCATION: Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW), and practitioner offices in Portland, Oregon. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty (160) women 25-55 years of age attending a KPNW TMD specialty clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Whole system TCM and NM, and KPNW TMD clinic SC; the intervention protocols were designed to model the individually tailored type of community care offered in alternative medicine practices in Portland and in the KPNW TMD clinic, using protocols that enhanced similarities among practitioners within each system and permitted full descriptions of the treatments provided. OUTCOME MEASURES: TMD was ascertained using the Research Diagnostic Criteria/TMD; outcomes were self-reported worst and average facial pain and interference with activities (scaled 0-10 where 10 is worst). RESULTS: Of 948 consecutive eligible patients, 160 were randomized to one of three arms; 128 provided endpoint data. TCM and NM demonstrated significantly greater in-treatment reductions for worst facial pain compared to SC (adjusted regression analysis; higher negative values indicate greater improvement, = -1.11 +/- 0.43, p = 0.010 and -1.02 +/- 0.45, p = 0.025 for TCM and NM, respectively, compared to SC) and at 3 months post-treatment (-1.07 +/- 0.51, p = 0.037 and -1.27 +/- 0.54, p = 0.019 for TCM and NM versus SC, respectively). Additionally, TCM provided significantly greater decreases in average pain than SC; NM provided significantly greater decreases than SC or TCM in TMD-related psychosocial interference. CONCLUSIONS: These alternative medicine approaches each resulted in significantly greater reduction of pain and psychosocial interference than SC. Further research on the potential benefits of traditional whole systems of medicine for TMD appears warranted. - Attachments:
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Ritenbaugh-NM & TCM for TMD.pdf, 284 KB
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I have heard about fantastic results of Eastern Medicine far surpassing Western Medicine. I would like to have any work like this that would like to present. Anything like this, please send. Thank you Robin. I hope you will join us at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/wmfresearchadvisorygroup
Robin Byler Thomas said:Here's the abstract to another whole system research (WSR) pilot study; this time investigating the effects of TCM and Naturopathic Medicine (NM) on TMD.
The results of this study show TCM and NM had better results than standard care, which consisted of state of the art speciality care (SC).
All three of these interventions (TCM, NM, and SC) utilize some form of massage.
I believe massage therapy could have been a 4th intervention showing effectiveness of its own. I say this because we employ more than just mechanical manipulation of the soft tissue; we also offer stress relief and encourage lifestyle changes to support the different modalities we use, ie exercise, stretching, eating right, getting enought sleep, ect.
WSR investigates the whole context of the client/therapist session using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. I've highlighted the conclusions below and will attach the whole study in PDF form at the end of this comment.
J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):475-87.
A pilot whole systems clinical trial of traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.
Ritenbaugh C, Hammerschlag R, Calabrese C, Mist S, Aickin M, Sutherland E, Leben J, Debar L, Elder C, Dworkin SF.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. ritenbau@email.arizona.edu
Comment in:
J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2009 Mar;9(1):18-20.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of studying whole systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Naturopathic medicine (NM) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and to determine whether there is indication to support further research. DESIGN: A pilot study using a randomized controlled clinical trial design of whole system TCM and NM versus state-of-the-art specialty care (SC). SETTING/LOCATION: Kaiser Permanente Northwest (KPNW), and practitioner offices in Portland, Oregon. SUBJECTS: One hundred and sixty (160) women 25-55 years of age attending a KPNW TMD specialty clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Whole system TCM and NM, and KPNW TMD clinic SC; the intervention protocols were designed to model the individually tailored type of community care offered in alternative medicine practices in Portland and in the KPNW TMD clinic, using protocols that enhanced similarities among practitioners within each system and permitted full descriptions of the treatments provided. OUTCOME MEASURES: TMD was ascertained using the Research Diagnostic Criteria/TMD; outcomes were self-reported worst and average facial pain and interference with activities (scaled 0-10 where 10 is worst). RESULTS: Of 948 consecutive eligible patients, 160 were randomized to one of three arms; 128 provided endpoint data. TCM and NM demonstrated significantly greater in-treatment reductions for worst facial pain compared to SC (adjusted regression analysis; higher negative values indicate greater improvement, = -1.11 +/- 0.43, p = 0.010 and -1.02 +/- 0.45, p = 0.025 for TCM and NM, respectively, compared to SC) and at 3 months post-treatment (-1.07 +/- 0.51, p = 0.037 and -1.27 +/- 0.54, p = 0.019 for TCM and NM versus SC, respectively). Additionally, TCM provided significantly greater decreases in average pain than SC; NM provided significantly greater decreases than SC or TCM in TMD-related psychosocial interference. CONCLUSIONS: These alternative medicine approaches each resulted in significantly greater reduction of pain and psychosocial interference than SC. Further research on the potential benefits of traditional whole systems of medicine for TMD appears warranted.
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