General
Information About TRI Research
The Touch Research Institutes have conducted over 90 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions in varied age groups. Among the significant research findings are enhanced growth (e.g. in preterm infants), diminished pain (e.g. fibromyalgia), decreased autoimmune problems (e.g., increased pulmonary function in asthma and decreased glucose levels in diabetes), enhanced immune function (e.g., increased natural killer cells in HIV and cancer), and enhanced alertness and performance (e.g., EEG pattern of alertness and better performance on math computations). Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones. Several of these findings have been reviewed in the TRI newsletter (Touchpoints) and in the volumes Touch Therapy (Harcourt Brace) and Touch (MIT Press).
References are cited below the subject/topic. Articles can be obtained by taking the reference to your local university library (not a public library) and asking the librarian to help you find a journal article. References listed as "in press", "in review" or "ongoing" are not yet available. To order a packet of articles from the Touch Research Institute, please go to the order form under "Touchpoints". You can select studies to receive for $20 per 4 articles.
Massage
Therapy Studies
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Following a month of 2 chair massages per week the adolescents
became less aggressive.
Diego, M., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Shaw, J., Rothe, E., Castellanos, D., & Mesner, L. (2002). Aggressive adolescents benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 37, 597-607.
Touch in Adolescents: Touching peers during conversations in
McDonalds Restaurants occurred more frequently in
Field, T. (1999). American adolescents touch each other less and are more aggressive toward their peers as compared with French adolescents. Adolescence, 34, 753-758.
Anorexia
Massage therapy reduced anxiety, depressed mood and salivary cortisol (stress hormone) levels and body dissatisfaction and increased dopamine levels.
Hart, S., Field, T. Hernandez-Reif, M., Nearing, G., Shaw, S., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2001). Anorexia symptoms are reduced by massage therapy. Eating Disorders, 9, 289-299.
Aromatherapy
Adults exposed to rosemary showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting increased alertness. They also had lower anxiety levels and performed math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed increased beta power, suggesting increased relaxation. They performed math computations not only faster but also with fewer errors and had less depressed mood.
Diego, M.A., Jones, N.A., Field, T., &
Hernandez-Reif, M. (1998). Aromatherapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG
patterns associated with positive mood and alertness. International Journal
of Neuroscience, 96, 217-224.
Frontal EEG asymmetry
shifting from baseline was examined in adults and infants exposed to lavender
and rosemary by reanalyzing previously published data, using techniques
different from those utilized in the original two studies. Results from Study 1
on 39 adults revealed significant EEG shifting in the lavender group, with
greater relative left frontal EEG activation (associated with greater approach
behavior and less depressed affect).
Sanders,C., Diego, M., Fernandez, M., Field, T.,
Hernandez-Reif, M., and
This study investigated whether exposure to lavender or rosemary
would change electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and behavior in infants of
depressed and non-depressed mothers. Twenty newborns were exposed to a 10% v/v
concentration of rosemary oil or lavender and their EEG was recorded for
2-minutes each at baseline and during odor exposure.
Fernandez,M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Sanders, C.,
Diego, M., and
Asthma
This study showed positive effects of parents massaging their asthmatic children including increased peak air flow, improved pulmonary functions, less anxiety and reduced stress hormone (cortisol) in the children. Parental anxiety also decreased.
Field, T., Henteleff, T., Hernandez-Reif M.,
Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Adolescents with ADHD displayed less anxiety, daydreaming behaviors, inappropriate emotions and hyperactivity and their conduct improved after participating in Tai Chi classes.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., & Thimas, E. (2001). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: benefits from Tai Chi. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 5, 120-123.
Adolescents with ADHD rated themselves as happier and were observed to fidget less after massage sessions. Also, teachers rated adolescents receiving massage as less hyperactive and as spending more time on-task.
Field, T., Quintino, O. & Hernandez-Reif, M., & Koslovsky, G. (1998). Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 33, 103-108.
Children with ADHD showed more on-task behavior in the classroom and were rated
as less hyperactive by their teachers following one month of twice weekly
massages.
Khilnani, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., and Shanberg, S. (2004). Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder,Adolescence, 152, 623-638.
Autistic
Children
Touch sensitivity, attention to sounds and off-task classroom behavior decreased and relatedness to teachers increased after massage therapy.
Field, T., Lasko, D, Mundy, P., Henteleff, T., Talpins, S., & Dowling, M. (1997). Autistic children's attentiveness and responsivity improve after touch therapy. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 27, 333-338.
Children in the massage group exhibited less stereotypic behavior and showed more on-task and social relatedness behavior during play observations at school, and they experienced fewer sleep problems at home.
Escalona, A., Field, T., Singer-Strunck, R., Cullen, C., & Hartshorn, K. (2001). Brief report: improvements in the behavior of children with autism following massage therapy. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 31, 513-516.
Twenty children with autism, ages 3 to 6 years, were randomly
assigned to massage therapy and reading attention controls groups.
Hartshorn,K., Olds, L., Field, T., Delage, J., Cullen, C. and Escalona, A. (2001) Creative movement therapy benefits children with autism.Early Child and Development and Care,166,1-5.
Massage lessened lower back pain, depression and anxiety, and improved sleep. The massage therapy group also showed improved range of motion and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, T. (2001) Low back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 106, 131-145.
Behavior Problem Children
Preschool children with behavior problems who received massage are showed more on-task behavior, less solitary play, and less increased.
Escalona, A., Field, T., Cullen, C., Hartshorn, K., & Cruz, C. (In Review). Behavior problem preschool children benefit from massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care.
Bottle
Feeding on Breast-Like Nipples:
Infants showed fewer stress behaviors and had greater vagal activity and more organized feeding patterns during bottle feedings using nipples that are similar to breast nipples.
Field, T, Schanberg, S., Davalos, M. & Malphurs, J. (1997). Bottlefeeding with a breast-like nipple. Early Child Development and Care, 132, 57-63.
Breast
Cancer
Massage therapy reduced anxiety and depression and improved immune function including increased natural killer cell number.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironsor, G., Field, T., Hurley, J., Katz, G., Diego, M., Weiss, S., Fletcher, MA., Shanberg, S and Kuhn, C. (2003) Breast cancer patients have improve immune and neuroendocrine function following massage therapy.Journal of Psychosomatic Reseach, 57,45-52.
Bulimia
Bulimic adolescent girls received massage therapy 2 times a week for 5 weeks. Effects included an improved body image, decreased depression and anxiety symptoms, decreased cortisol levels and increased dopamine and serotonin levels.
Field, T., Shanberg, S., Kuhn, C., Fierro, K.,
Henteleff, T., Mueller, C., Yando, R. & Burman,
Burn
in Adults
Massage therapy sessions given prior to debridement (skin brushing) decreased depression and anger, and the subjects appeared less anxious during behavior observations and reported less pain. Lower pulse and cortisol suggested lower stress levels.
Field, T., Peck, M., Krugman, S., Tuchel, T., Schanberg,
S., Kuhn, C., & Burman,
Burn
in Children
Massage therapy given prior to dressing young children's (mean age
= 2.5 years old) severe body burns decreased distress behaviors. Nurses also
reported greater ease in completing the dressing change procedure for the
children in the massage group.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Largie, S., Hart, S., Redzepi, M., Nierenberg, B., & Peck, M. (2001). Childrens' distressduring burn treatment is reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation, 22, 191-195.
Post-Burn Symptoms
Massage therapy given to burn patients reportedly reduced itching, pain, and anxiety and improved mood immediately after the first and last therapy sessions, and their ratings on these measures improved from the first day to the last day of the study.
Field, T., Peck, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Krugman, S.,
Burman,
A daily self-massage for stretching tendons alleviated pain following one month. To determine the effectiveness of massage therapy for relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Sixteen adults with CTS symptoms were randomized to a 4-week massage therapy or control group.
Field, T.., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hartsorn, K., Gruskin, A., Hernandez-Reif, M. and Sunshine, W. (2004). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptons are lessened fallowing massage therapy.Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies,8, 9-14.
Carrying
Position
Infants were carried by their mothers in soft infant carriers in facing inward and facing outward positions. In the facing inward position they slept more and in the facing outward position they were more active and interactive.
Field, T., Malphurs, J., Carraway, K. & Pelaez-Nogueras, M. (1996). Carrying position influences infant behavior. Early Child Development and Care, 121, 49-54.
Cerebral
Palsy
Massage therapy helped children with CP reduce spasticity, gain more muscle flexibility, and motor function and have more positive social interaction.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field,T.., Largie, S., Diego, M., Manigat, N., Seonares, J., Bornstein, J and Waldman, R. (In press and 2004). Cerebral Palsy Symptoms in children decreased following a massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care
Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome
Immediately following massage therapy depressed mood, anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were reduced. Following 10 days of massage therapy, fatigue related symptoms, particularly anxiety and somatic symptoms, were reduced, as were depression, difficulty sleeping and pain. Stress hormone (cortisol) also decreased and dopamine increased.
Field, T, Sunshine, W., Hernandez-Reif, M., Quintino,
O., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., & Burman,
Cocaine
Exposed Newborns
Massaged newborns had fewer postnatal complications and showed increased weight gain, and better performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (particularly on the motor scale), and less stress behaviors following 10 days of massage.
Scafidi, F., Field, T., Wheeden, A., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., Symanski, R., Zimmerman, E., & Bandstra, E. S. (1996). Cocaine exposed preterm neonates show behavioral and hormonal differences. Pediatrics, 97, 851-855.
Cystic
Fibrosis
Children receiving daily bedtime massages from their parents reported being less anxious, and their mood and peak air flow readings improved.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor,
J., &
Massage therapy improved range of motion, mood, and performance (including balance and posture) and decreased stress hormone (cortisol) after one month of twice weekly massage therapy.
Leivadi, S., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., O'Rourke, M., D'Arienzo, S., Lewis, D., Del Pino, N., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1999). Massage therapy and relaxation effects on university dance students. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 3, 108-112.
Depressed
Mothers' EEG Patterns are Changed by Massage and Music Therapy
Brief sessions of massage therapy and music therapy were noted to shift the EEG of depressed mothers from greater relative right frontal activation (a pattern associated with depression) to symmetry.
Jones, N., & Field, T. (1999). Right frontal EEG
asymmetry is attenuated by massage and music therapy. Adolescence, 34,
529-534.
Tornek, A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Diego, M. and Jones, N.(2003). Music effects on EEG in intrusive and withdrawn mothers with depressive symptoms.Psychiatry, 66 (3), 234-243.
Depressed
Mothers' Infants Prefer Touch
Infants showed more eye contact when adults, who were smiling and cooing, also touched them as compared to infants who received smiling and cooing without touch.
Pelaez-Nogueras, M., Gewirtz, J.L., Field, T., Cigales, M., Malphurs, J., Clasky, S., & Sanchez, A. (1996). Infant preference for touch stimulation in face-to-face interactions. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 17, 199-213.
Depressed
Mothers' Touching Increases Infants' Positive Affect and Attention
Depressed mothers increased their infant's positive affect and attentiveness by providing touch stimulation.
Pelaez-Nogueras, M., Field, T., Hossain, Z., & Pickens, J. (1996). Depressed mothers' touching increases infants' positive affect and attention in still-face interactions. Child Development, 67, 1780-1792.
Depressed
Mothers Touching Infants
Mothers with depressive symptoms who were more likely to touch their infants in a negative way were more likely to be classified as intrusive.
Malphurs, J., Raag, T., Field, T., Pickens, J., & Pelaez-Nogueras, M. (1996). Touch by intrusive and withdrawn mothers with depressive symptoms. Early Development and Parenting, 5, 111-115.
Depressed
Mothers Touching Newborns
Mothers with depressed symptoms were compared to mothers with non-depressed symptoms one day after delivery on how they touched their newborns following an initial feeding. Depressed mothers touched their newborns less frequently.
Lundy, B.L., Field, T., Cuadra, A., Nearing, G., Cigales, M. & Hashimoto, M. (1996). Mothers with depressive symptoms touching their newborns. Early Development and Parenting, 5, 124-130.
Depressed
Pregnant Mothers
This study on depressed pregnant women showed decreased depression, stress hormones, and obstetric complications including lower prematurity rates massage by their significant other
Field, T., Diego, M., Dieter, J., & Hernandez-Reif, M. (In Review 2004). Depressed pregnant women benefit from massage therapy.
Depressed
Teenage Mothers
Teenage mothers who received massage therapy versus those who received relaxation therapy were less depressed and less anxious both by their own report and based on behavior observations. In addition, their urinary cortisol levels were lower and their serotonin levels were higher, indicating they were less stressed and less depressed.
Field, T., Grizzle, N., Scafidi, F., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Massage and relaxation therapies' effects on depressed adolescent mothers. Adolescence, 31, 903-911.
Dermatitis
in Children
Children's affect and activity levels improved as did all measures of skin condition including less redness, lichenification, excoriation, and pruritis after massage therapy. Parents' anxiety levels also decreased.
Schachner, L., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M.,
Diabetes
Following one month of parents massaging their children with diabetes, the children's glucose levels decreased to the normal range and their increased dietary compliance increased. Also the parents' and children's anxiety and depression levels decreased.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., LaGreca A., Shaw, K., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1997). Massage therapy lowers blood glucose levels in children with Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Spectrum 10, 237-239.
Down
Syndrome
Infants with Down syndrome improved in muscle tone and in performance on motor tasks following massage therapy.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Ironson, G., Field, T., Largie, S., Deigo, M., Mora, D., & Bornstein, J. (In Review). Children with Down Syndrome improved in motor function and muscle tone following massage therapy. Journal of Early Intervention.
Research is reviewed on the critical nature of rubbing the rat pup and the preterm newborn for their growth and development.
Schanberg, S. & Field, T. (1987). Sensory deprivation stress and supplemental stimulation in the rat pup and preterm human neonate. Child Development, 58, 1431-1447.
Elderly
Retired Volunteers Providing Versus Receiving Massage
Elderly retired volunteers were assessed after giving infants massage for a month versus receiving massage for a month themselves. Results were: 1) they reported less anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms and an improved mood after giving infants massage; 2) their pulse decreased; 3) their cortisol levels decreased; and 4) they reported improved self esteem and a better lifestyle (e.g. fewer doctor visits and more social contacts) after the one month period. These effects were stronger for giving infants the massages than receiving massages themselves, suggesting that the massager can benefit from simply giving massages.
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Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Quintino, 0., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (1998). Elder retired volunteers benefit from giving massage therapy to infants. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 17, 229-239.
Fathers gave their infants daily massages 15 minutes prior to bedtime for one month. The fathers in the massage group showed more optimal interaction behavior with their infants.
Cullen, C., Field, T., Escalona, A., & Hartshorn, K. (2000). Father-infants interactions are enhanced by massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care, 164, 41-47.
Fibromyalgia
Syndrome
Massage therapy (as compared to transcutaneous electrical stimulation) improved sleep patterns and decreased pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression and cortisol levels.
Sunshine, W., Field, T., Schanberg, S., Quintino, O.,
Fierro, K., Kuhn, C., Burman,
Thirty adult fibromyalgia syndrome subjects were randomly assigned
to a massage therapy, a transcutaneous
electrical stimulation (TENS), or a transcutaneous electrical
stimulation no-current group (Sham TENS) for 30-minute treatment sessions two
time per week for 5 week.
Field, T., Delage, J. and Hernandez-Reif, M. (2003).
Movement and massage therapy reduces fibromyalgia pain.Journal of Bodywork
annd Movement Therapies,1, 49-52.
Fibromyalgia patients slept better (showed lower activity levels suggesting more deep sleep), and had lower substance P levels and less pain following a month of biweekly massages.
Field, T., Diego, M., Cullen, C., Hernandez-Reif, M.,
Sunshine, W., &
Food
Texture
Infants preferred pureed textures while toddlers and preschoolers preferred chunky textures. However, when infants were given experience with more complex textures, they too preferred the chunky textures.
Lundy, B.C., Field, T., Carraway, K., Hart, S., Malphurs,
J., Rosenstein, M., Pelaez-Nogueras, M., Coletta, F., Ott, D.and
Hernandez-Reif, M. (1998). Food texture preferences in infants versus toddlers.
Early Child Development and Care, 146, 69-85.
Increased weight gain and improved performance on the Brazelton Newborn Scale (motor and state scales) were experienced by the massaged newborns.
Scafidi, F. & Field, T. (1997). Massage therapy improves behavior in neonates born to HIV positive mothers. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 21, 889-897.
HIV
in Adolescents
Natural killer cells, CD4 cells and CD4/CD8 ratio increased after one month of massage therapy.
Diego, M.A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Shaw, K., Friedman, L., and Ironson, G. (2001). HIV adolescents show improved immune function following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 106, 35-45.
HIV
Positive Adults
This study examined massage therapy effects on anxiety and depression levels and on immune function. The subjects received a 45-minute massage five times weekly for a 1-month period. The findings were that: 1) anxiety, stress and cortisol levels were significantly reduced; and 2) natural killer cells and natural killer cell activity increased, suggesting positive effects on the immune system.
Ironson, G., Field, T., Scafidi, F., Hashimoto, M., Kumar,
M., Kumar, A., Price, A., Goncalves, A., Burman,
Hospital nursing and physician staff members were provided massage therapy, relaxation therapy and music therapy. These therapies significantly reduced anxiety, depression and fatigue as well as increased vigor.
Field, T., Quintino, O., Henteleff, T., Wells-Keife, L., & Delvecchio-Feinberg, G. (1997). Job stress reduction therapies. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 3, 54-56.
Hypertension
Massage therapy decreased diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor,
J., Theakston, H., Hossain, Z., & Burman,
Infants who received massage therapy versus those who were rocked experienced 1) greater daily weight gain; 2) more organized sleep/wake behaviors; 3) less fussiness; 4) improved sociability and soothability, 5) improved interaction behaviors; and 6) lower cortisol and norepinephrine and increased serotonin levels (suggesting less depression).
Field, T., Grizzle, N., Scafidi, F., Abrams, S., &
Interventions
for Premature Infants
Early touch interventions and their effects on high-risk infants are reviewed.
Field, T. (1986). Interventions for premature infants. Journal of Pediatrics, 109, 183-191.
Massaged adults showed 1) decreased frontal EEG alpha and beta power and increased delta power consistent with enhanced alertness; 2) math problems were completed in significantly less time with significantly fewer errors after the massage; and 3) anxiety, cortisol (stress hormone) and job stress levels were lower at the end of the 5 week period.
Field, T., Ironson, G., Scafidi, F., Nawrocki, T.,
Goncalves, A., Burman,
Juvenile
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Positive effects of parents massaging their arthritic children included less pain (particularly at night) and less morning stiffness as assessed by the Parent, Child and Physician's Assessment as well as lower anxiety and cortisol levels.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Seligman, S., Krasnegor, J., Sunshine, W., Rivas-Chacon, R., & Schanberg, S. and Kuhn, C.(1997). Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis benefits from massage therapy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 607-617.
Massage therapy during labor the first 15 minutes of every hour of labor decreased anxiety and pain. In addition, the massaged mothers had shorter labor, shorter hospital stay and less depressed mood.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Taylor, S., & Quintino, 0., & Burman, I. (1997). Labor pain is reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 18, 286-291.
Learning
by Infants
Massaging the lower limbs for a few minutes enhanced habituation (or simple learning) by infants.
Cigales, M., Field, T., Lundy, B., Cuadra, A. & Hart, S. (1997). Massage enhances recovery from habituation in normal infants. Infant Behavior & Development, 20, 29-34.
Learning
in Preschoolers
Preschoolers who received a 15-minute massage showed better performance on the block design and greater accuracy on the animal pegs subsets of the WPPSI.
Hart, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Lundy, B. (1998). Preschoolers' cognitive performance improves following massage. Early Child Development & Care, 143, 59-64.
Leukemia
Twenty children with leukemia were provided with daily massages by their parents and were compared to a standard treatment control group. Following a month of massage therapy, depressed mood decreased in the children's parents, and the children's white blood cell and neutrophil counts increased.
Field, T., Cullen, C., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Sprinz, P., Beebe, K., Kissell, B., & Bango-Sanchez, V. (2001) Leukemia immune changes following massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, 3, 1-5.
Massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms and increased serotonin levels.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Dieter, J., Swerdlow. & Diego, M., (1998). Migraine headaches were reduced by massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 1-11.
Multiple
Sclerosis
Massage therapy decreased anxiety and depressed mood, and improved hand strength, self-esteem, body image and social functioning.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Field, T., & Theakston, H. (1998). Multiple Sclerosis patients benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2, 168-174.
Women who had extended and early contact with their newborns looked at, talked to, and touched their infants more, watched less television, and talked less on the telephone than mothers with minimal contact with their infants. These findings suggest that increased postpartum contact with infants leads not only to more interaction, but also to more touching as well as touching in more intimate places (face and head), thus highlighting the value of rooming-in arrangements for mothers and infants.
Prodromidis, M., Field, T., Arendt, R., Singer, L., Yando, R. & Bendell, D. (1995). Mothers touching newborns: A comparison of rooming-in versus minimal contact. Birth, 22, 196-200.
Alleviating Stress in Intensive-Care Neonates: Intensive care nursery environments and their effects as well as positive tactile stimulation effects are reviewed.
Field, T. (1987). Alleviating stress in NICU neonates. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 87, 646-650.
Alleviating Stress in Newborns: Stressful effects of intensive care nursery environments are reviewed including the effects of high-intensity noise, bright lights, cold, invasive and painful procedures. Touch interventions were associated with 1) fewer startle responses, 2) decreased need for ventilation, and 3) fewer clenched fists. The stimulated infants averaged greater weight gain, were awake and active for a greater period of time and scored better on the Brazelton Scale.
Field, T. (1990). Alleviating stress in newborn infants in the intensive care unit. Perinatology, 17,1-9.
Infants showed fewer stress behaviors (e.g. grimacing and clenched fists) and lower cortisol levels (stress hormones) following massage with oil versus massage without oil.
Field, T., T., Schanberg, S., Davalos, M. & Malphurs, J. (1996). Massage with oil has more positive effects on newborn infants. Pre and Perinatal Psychology Journal, 11, 73-78.
Adults with Parkinson's Disease were assigned to receive massage therapy or progressive muscle relaxation twice a week for five weeks. The massaged group received higher physician scores on daily living activities and the participants rated themselves as improved in daily functioning, having more effective and less disturbed sleep.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Largie, S., Cullen, C., Beutler, J., Sanders, C. Weiner, W., Rodriguez-Bateman, D., Zelaya, L., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2002). Parkinson's disease symptoms are differentially affected by massage therapy versus progressive muscle relaxation: A pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 6, 177-182.
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Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder
Massage therapy decreased the anxiety, depression and stress hormone levels (cortisol) of children who survived Hurricane Andrew. In addition, their drawings became less depressed.
Field, T., Seligman, S., Scafidi, F., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Alleviating postraumatic stress in children following Hurricane Andrew. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 17, 37-50.
Pregnancy
This study showed decreased anxiety and stress hormones (norepinephrine) during pregnancy and fewer obstetric and postnatal complications including lower prematurity rates following pregnancy massage.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Hart, S., Theakston, H.,
Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., & Burman,
Fetal activity during midgestation was studied in response to vibratory stimulation of the mother's abdomen, foot massage, hand massage, or control condition. The fetuses of mothers who received a 3-minute foot massage showed greater movement than the control fetuses.
Diego, M., Dieter, J., Field, T., Lecanuet, J., Hernandez-Reif, M., Beutler, J., Largie, S., Redzepi, M., & Salman, F. (2002). Fetal activity following vibratory stimulation of the mother's abdomen and foot and hand massage. Developmental Psychobiology, 41, 396-406.
Eighty-four depressed pregnant women were recruited during the
second trimester of pregnancy and randomly assigned to a massage therapy group,
a progressive muscle relaxation group or a control group that received standard
prenatal care alone.
Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Shanberg, S. and Kuhn, C. ( In press) Masssage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women.Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology. (2004)
Premenstrual
Symptoms
Mood improved and anxiety, pain and water retention symptoms decreased after massage therapy.
Hernandez-Reif, M.,
Preschools
Touch
Teachers touching children was rarely observed in infant, toddler and preschool nurseries. These data were then presented to the teachers along with examples of appropriate touch, and they were requested to provide more touching in the classroom. The amount of touching subsequently increased.
Field, T., Harding, J. Soliday, B., Lasko, D., Gonzalez, N. & Valdeon, C. (1998). Touching in infant, toddler and preschool nurseries. Early Child Development and Care, 98, 113-120.
Preschoolers demonstrated less "task" related touch but more "communication" related touch in their classroom as compared to the infants and toddlers in their classrooms. Affectionate touch and aggressive touch was more prevalent among toddlers than other age children.
Cigales, M., Field, T., Hossain, Z., Pelaez-Nogueras, M. & Gewirtz, J. (1996). Touch among children at nursery school. Early Child Development and Care, 126, 101-110.
Preschool
Touch in
Studies compared a high touch culture (
Field, T. (1999) Preschoolers in
Preterm
Infant Massage in Five Days
Preterm infants gained more weight following as few as 5 days of massage therapy.
Dieter, J., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Emory, E and Redzepi, M. (2003). Preterm infants gain more weight and sleep less following 5 days of massage therapy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 28, (6) 403-411.
Preterm
Neonates' Responses to massage and Heelsticks
Routine heelstick procedures and tactile-kinesthetic massage were performed on stabilized preterm neonates to examine the differential effects on Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension (TcPO2). TcPO2 levels during the heelstick were significantly lower than during the massage stimulation. The findings indicate that social forms of touch such as massage do not appear to have a medically compromising effect on TcPO2.
Morrow, C., Field, T., Scafidi, F.A., Roberts, J., Eisen, L., Larson, S.K., Hogan, A.E., and Bandstra, E.S. (1991). Differential effects of massage and heelstick procedures on Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension in preterm neonates. Infant Behavior and Development, 14, 397-414.
Preterm
Newborns Gain More Weight
Preterm infants gained 47% more weight, became more socially responsive, and were discharged 6 days earlier at a hospital cost savings of $10,000 per infant (or 4.7 billion dollars if the 470,000 preemies born each year were massaged). The underlying biological mechanism for weight gain in the massaged preterm newborns may be an increase in vagal tone and, in turn, an increase in insulin (food absorption hormone).
Field, T., Schanberg, S. M., Scafidi, F., Bauer, C. R., Vega-Lahr, N., Garcia, R., Nystrom, J., & Kuhn, C. M. (1986). Tactile/ kinesthetic stimulation effects on preterm neonates. Pediatrics, 77, 654-658.
Although the underlying mechanism for this relationship between massage therapy and weight gain has not yet been established, possibilities that have been explored in studies with both humans and rats include (a) increased protein synthesis, (b) increased vagal activity that releases food-absorption hormones like insulin and enhances gastric motility and (c) decreased cortisol levels leading to increased oxytocin.
Field, T. (2001). Massage therapy facilitates weight gain in preterm infants. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 51-54.
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Preterm
Newborns Sleep Better
Preterm infants who were massaged before sleep fell asleep more quickly and slept more soundly with better sleep patterns. They showed improved weight gain as compared to infants who were not massaged before sleep.
Scafidi, F., Field, T., Schanberg, S., Bauer, C., Vega-Lahr, N., & Garcia, R. (1986). Effects of tactile/kinesthetic stimulation on the clinical course and sleep/wake behavior of preterm neonates. Infant Behavior and Development, 9, 91-105.
Preterm Newborns Have a Better Clinical
Course
Preterm Infants received tactile/kinesthetic stimulation over a 10-day period. The infants averaged 21% greater weight gain per day and spent more time awake and active during sleep/wake behavior observations.
Scafidi, F., Field, T., Schanberg, S., Bauer, C, Tucci, K., Roberts, J., Morrow, C., & Kuhn, C.M. (1990). Massage stimulates growth in preterm infants: A replication. Infant Behavior and Development ,13,167-188
Preterm
Infants Who Benefit the Most From Massage
Preterm infants received three daily 15-minute massages for 10 days. The massage therapy infants gained significantly more weight per day than did the control infants. For the massage therapy group, the pattern of greater caloric intake and more days in Intermediate care before the study period along with more obstetric complications differentiated the high from the low weight gainers, suggesting that the infants who had experienced more complications before the study benefited more from the massage therapy.
Scafidi, F., Field, T., & Schanberg, S. (1993). Factors that predict which preterm infants benefit most from massage therapy. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 14, 176-180.
494.
Preterm Infants Develop Better:
Preterm infants who received massage therapy as newborns showed greater weight
gain and more optimal cognitive and motor development eight months later.
Field, T., Scafidi, & Schanberg, S. (1987). Massage of preterm newborns to improve growth and development. Pediatric Nursing, 13, 385-387.
Preterm
Infants Stimulation Review
Preterm infants who received tactile stimulation showed greater weight gain. A potential underlying mechanism for the massage/weight gain relationship is an increase in vagal tone, which in turn increases food absorption.
Field, T. (1988). Stimulation of preterm infants. Pediatrics in Review, 10, 149-154.
Field, T. (2003). Stimulation in preterm infants. Pediatrics in Review, 24, 4-10.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M and Freedman, J. (2004).
Stimulation programs for preterm infants. Social Policy Report, 18,
1-19.
Preterm
Infants' Weight Influences Massage Therapy Benefits
In a review of preterm infant massage studies, massage therapy was found to facilitate weight gain only when the intervention was started when the preterm infant weighed between 1100 and 1300 g.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Diego, M., & Beutler, J. (2001). Letter-to-the-Editor: Evidence-Based Medicine and Massage. Pediatrics, 108 (4), 1053.
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Psychiatric
Patients (Child and Adolescent)
Following five 30-minute massages these children/ adolescents had better sleep patterns, lower depression and anxiety and lower stress hormone levels (cortisol and norepinephrine).
Field, T., Morrow, C., Valdeon, C., Larson, S., Kuhn,
C., & Schanberg, S. (1992). Massage therapy reduces anxiety in child and
adolescent psychiatric patients. Journal of the
Maternally deprived rat pups showed increased growth hormone following simulated rubbing.
Pauk, J., Kuhn, C., Field, T., and Schanberg, S. (1986). Positive effects of tactile versus kinesthetic or vestibular stimulation on neuroendocrine and ODC activity in maternally deprived rat pups. Life Science, 39, 2081-2087.
Review
Paper
Massage Therapy for Infants and Children: The effects of massage therapy on infants and children with various medical conditions are reviewed. The conditions range from infants who are premature, cocaine-exposed, HIV-exposed and infants of depressed mothers. The childhood conditions include asthma, burns, cancer, dermatitis, diabetes, eating disorders (bulimia), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric disorders.
Field, T. (1995). Massage therapy for infants and children. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 16, 105-111.
Massage Therapy Effects on Infants and Children: Infant and child massage therapy studies ranging across several conditions are reviewed along with recommendations to pediatricians and parents.
Field, T. (1999). Massage therapy: More than a laying on of hands: Contemporary Pediatrics, 16, 77-94.
Massage Therapy Effects: Infant, child and adult massage therapy studies ranging across many conditions including attention disorders, depression, addictions, pain syndrome, immune and autoimmune disorders are reviewed along with potential underlying mechanisms.
Field, T. (1998). Massage therapy effects. American Psychologist, 53, 1270-1281.
Massage Therapy: Research on massage therapy and its effects on various conditions including depression, anorexia nervosa, smoking, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, immune disorders, and diabetes.
Field, T. (2002). Massage therapy. Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 86, 163-171.
Massage therapy reduced aversion to touch and decreased anxiety, depression and cortisol levels, in women who had been sexually or physically abused.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Hart, S., Quintino, O.,
Drose, L., Field, T., Kuhn, C., & Schanberg, S (1997). Sexual abuse effects
are lessened by massage therapy, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies,
1,65-69
Sleep by Preschoolers
Preschool children who received massage fell asleep sooner, and slept longer during nap time, had decreased activity levels and better behavior ratings.
Field, T., Kilmer, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Burman,
Sleep Disturbances in Infants
Infants who received massage therapy before bedtime by a parent experienced less difficulty falling asleep and better sleep patterns.
Field, T. & Hernandez-Reif, M. (2001). Sleep problems in infants decrease following massage therapy. Early Child Development and Care, 168, 95-104.
Smoking
Cravings, anxious behaviors and the number of cigarettes smoked were reduced by self-massage (rubbing ear lobes or hands whenever subjects experienced a craving).
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., and Hart, S. (1999). Smoking cravings are reduced by self-massage. Preventive Medicine, 28, 28-32.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Massage therapy improved functional abilities, range of motion and muscle strength in spinal cord injury patients.
Diego, M., Field, T., and Hernandez-Reif, M., Brucker,
B., Hart, S., & Burman,
Face
Discrimination
Infants of depressed mothers took longer to habituate their mothers' face/voice and afterwards displayed no visual preference for mother or stranger, compared to infants of non-depressed mothers who showed a novelty preference for stranger.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Diego, M., & Largie, S. (2002). Depressed mothers' newborns show inferior face discrimination. Infant Mental Health Journal (In Press).
Odor
Perception
Infants of depressed mothers exposed to rosemary or lavender oil showed a shift in EEG toward greater relative left frontal asymmetry. This shift is associated with an approaching pattern of behavior and response to positive stimuli.
Fernandez, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Sanders, C.,
Diego, M., &
Oral
Temperature Perception
Newborns of depressed mothers sucked longer to cold and warm bottle-nipples and showed no preference for one over the other.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Diego, M., and Largie, S. (In Preparation). Oral temperature perception by newborns of depressed vs. non-depressed mothers.
Oral
Texture Perception in Newborns
Newborns of depressed mothers spent half as much time orally exploring a nubby and smooth texture orally, suggesting that they may have biological differences affecting their emotional arousal and regulation.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., del Pino, N., and Diego. M. (2000). Less Exploring by mouth occurs in newborns of depressed mothers. Infant Mental Health Journal, 21, 204-210.
Temperature
Perception by Hand
Infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers were habituated to a cold or warm temperature tube by hand. Infants of depressed mothers 1) required twice as long to habituate, 2) showed a sensitization effect, indexed as an increase in holding from the second to the third trial of habituation and 3) showed passive hand activity while holding the object in their hand.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Diego, M., and Largie, S. (2002). Haptic habituation to temperature is slower in newborns of depressed mothers. Infancy,4,47-63.
Weight
Perception
Newborns of depressed mothers showed passive manipulation of objects and did not detect a change in the object's weight during test trials.
Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Diego, M., and Largie, S. (2002). Weight perception by newborns of depressed vs. non-depressed mothers. Infant Behavior and Development, 24, 305-316.