International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB)
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The Experience of Shiatsu for Care Partners and Persons Living With Dementia: a Qualitative Pilot Study
No full textBackground: Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects over 50 million people. It impacts quality of life for those diagnosed, their care partners, and the relationship between the two. Strategies to enhance quality of life and relationships are needed. Shiatsu may improve care partners’ well-being. Using touch through shiatsu may offer a meaningful way for care partners to interact with their partners living with dementia.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore care partners’ experience of using both self-shiatsu and shiatsu with their partner, as well as to explore care partners’ perceptions of the impact of shiatsu on the quality of their relationship.
Setting: This study took place at a centre providing programs for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
Participants: Participants were current and former attendees of the centre’s programs.
Research Design: This was a qualitative study with an interpretive/descriptive approach. Care partners were taught self-shiatsu to manage stress and a simplified, short shiatsu routine to use with their partner. Semi-structured interviews were con-ducted to elicit care partners’ experiences and explore their ongoing use of shiatsu at two and six weeks post-workshop.
Findings: Four care partners completed the study. A wide range of experiences with shiatsu were described, representing four key themes: Enhanced Awareness, Integrating Shiatsu into the Relationship, Barriers and Facilitators, and Potential and Possibility. Two found self-shiatsu beneficial. Using shiatsu with their partner was a favourable experience for only one, who found it a pleasant way to connect and interact. None of the participants felt using shiatsu with their partners affected their relationship quality.
Conclusions: The findings of this study are inconclusive. Self-shiatsu may be a helpful self-management approach for some care partners, but not for others. Shiatsu for persons living with dementia may not fit into the routines of many care partners. For others, however, it may offer a means to connect
Massage Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Stiffness and Numbness Post Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: a Case Study
No full textIntroduction: Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) commonly result in pain, stiffness, weakness and numbness. There are limitations in the ability of the standard medical approach to manage many symptoms of SCI. This case study examined the effects of massage therapy as a “complementary” therapy to treat post-operative numbness and stiffness after removal of a cavernous hemangioma intermeshed with a 26-year-old male patient’s spinal cord.
Methods: The patient received eight, one-hour therapeutic massage sessions over five months. Therapeutic massage techniques were performed by a Board- Certified Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Therapist and consisted of cranial sacral, Swedish, myofascial release, trig-ger point therapy, and passive stretching. Symptom intensity was recorded prior to each session on a qualitative scale (1–10) and was trended over the course of the study.
Results: There was a slight decrease over time in left-arm and back numbness, as well as neck and upper body stiffness. The patient viewed therapeutic massage to be a beneficial component to his recovery.
Discussion/Conclusion: Massage therapy should be considered as an adjunct therapy as part of a rehabilitation plan to address numbness and stiffness post-SCI. Further research is needed to understand the effects of massage therapy on SCI numbness and stiffness
Trends of Publication in the Education and Practice Sections of the IJTMB: A Call to Action
No full textThe scope of the IJTMB include not only publishing scientific research studies, but also to publish education innovation and practice-oriented approaches for all allied health providers whose practice include manually applied therapeutic massage and bodywork. The aims of the Practice and Education sections of the journal are described in this editorial. The Education section covers topics including curriculum and competencies development, instructional design and delivery, instructional technology, distance learning, and testing/evaluative procedures for both initial education as well as continuing education. Planning, organization, marketing, and management of a successful practice, the incorporation of new scientific findings and methods into clinical practice, new clinical approaches to prevention and treatment of specific health conditions, and ethical issues are included in the Practice section. In an effort to increase publication within these sections we have put forth this call to action. We invite educators and practitioners to submit manuscripts discussing innovations in massage therapy education, how schools and students dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic, practitioners and clients adapted to the pandemic, investigations of the massage therapy profession and about massage therapists, as well as interesting case studies
The Journey of a Massage Therapist’s Experience After Receiving a Formal Complaint
No full textDiscussions of professionalism and conflict within practice are an important area of enquiry as massage therapy practice continues to be recognized within the health care realm. The scientific literature has paid little attention to these massage therapy professional and ethical dilemmas. Herein, we explore one such area of conflict between a client and therapist in regard to communication and complaints. An interview was conducted to gain further insight to the situation and is structured based upon the following interview guide: description of the instance, how the therapist handled this situation, reflection on how the therapist’s actions contributed to the situation, brief discussion of how other professions handled these types of situations, and reflection on what could have been done differently
Acute and Chronic Periocular Massage for Ocular Blood Flow and Vision: a Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textIntroduction: The ocular blood flow (OBF) is responsible for supplying nutrition to the retina, which plays a fundamental role in visual function. Massage is expected to improve the blood flow and, consequently, vascular function. The aim of this study was to determine the shortterm and long-term effects of periocular massage on OBF and visual acuity.
Methods: The OBF and visual acuity were measured in 40 healthy adults aged 20–30 years before and after massage, and also in control subjects. Three massage methods were used: applying periocular acupressure (“Chinese eye exercise”: CE), using a facial massage roller (MR), and using an automated eye massager (AM). The OBF and visual acuity were first measured before and after applying each type of massage for 5 min. Eye massage was then applied for 5 min once daily over a 60-day period, while the control group received no massage. The same measurements were then performed again.
Results: Performing short-term periocular massage showed significant interactions in time and massage effects on visual acuity in CE and AM groups, and on OBF in AM group, while 60-day massage period exerted no significant effects. No significant relationship was found between OBF and visual acuity changes.
Conclusions: These results suggest that short-term periocular massage with Chinese eye exercise and automated eye massager can improve OBF and visual acuity, although no causal relationship was supported
Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre–Post Pilot Study
No full textBackground: Premenstrual syndrome is a highly prevalent cyclical disorder among women of childbearing age which interferes with daily activities, mood, and quality of life.
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a foot reflexology protocol on relieving pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms in nurs-ing students. Setting: Nursing School, São Paulo Uni-versity, Brazil.
Participants: A convenience sample of 17 nursing students, diagnosed with moderate-to-severe premenstrual syn-drome as assessed by the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).
Research design: A pre–post pilot inter-vention study.
Intervention: The intervention consist-ed of eight reflexology sessions lasting 30 minutes for eight weeks.
Main Outcome Measure: Evaluation of the participants by the PSST applied at the beginning and at the end of the study.
Results: The participants had an average age of 21.7 (±2.6) years, ranging from 19 to 28 years; all were single, and most were in the third year of the course (58.8%); 75.6% lived with their family; 82.4% do not use contraceptives; 64.7% reported regular menstrual flow with an average duration of 5.1 (±1.1) days, and an average menstrual cycle interval of 29.3 (±4.9) days. The intervention significantly reduced the premenstrual symptoms assessed by the PSST (p<.017) with a pre–post difference of 10.2 points in the overall score, and the items score decreased between 1.2 to 3.4 for difficulty concentrating, insomnia, hy-persomnia, feeling overwhelmed, muscle/joint pain, bloating, weight gain; and be-tween 3.5 to 5.2 to anger/irritability, anxiety/tension, tearful, depressed mood, de-creased interest in daily activities, fatigue, overeating, and breast tenderness. There was a significant decrease regarding the functional impact of premenstrual symp-toms domain in the overall score with a pre–post difference of 10.7, and between 1.7 and 3.0 for all of the items (p<.04), except for the item “your home responsibilities”.
Conclusion: Foot reflexology has shown promising results in reducing premen-strual syndrome symptoms.
Effect of Ice Massage to Head and Spine on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Hypertension: a Pilot Study
No full textBackground: Ice massage is one of the common hydrotherapeutic procedures. The current study is first of its kind, conducted to evaluate the effect of ice massage to head and spine on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with hypertension.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen hypertensive subjects with the mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 48.87 ± 11.17 yrs were recruited and underwent only one session of ice massage to head and spine for 20 min. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were assessed before and immediately after the intervention.
Results: Results of this study showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (p = <.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < .001) and heart rate (p = .012), and a significant increase in R-R Interval (the intervals between adjacent R waves in the electro cardiogram) (p = .001) in the posttest assessments compared to its respective pre-test assessments.
Conclusion: Results suggest that 20 min of ice massage to head and spine may reduce blood pressure and heart rate in patients with hypertension. However, there is no evidence that this provides any significant clinical impact for the patient
The Effect of Oketani Breast Massage on Successful Breastfeeding, Mothers’ Need for Breastfeeding Support, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: an Experimental Study
No full textBackground: The negative effects of cesarean section on breastfeeding are a major global concern.
Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of Oketani breast massage on the maternal need for support during breastfeeding, breastfeeding success, and breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Setting: Three hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, from April to July 2019.
Study Design: The participants in this experimental study were 113 pregnant women who were candidates for cesarean section. The mothers were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned. In addition to routine care, the mothers in the intervention group received Oketani breast massages twice. However, the mothers in the control group received routine care. The data were collected using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT), LATCH Assessment Score, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES). The data were analyzed with SPSS 20 software via the independent samples t test, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the chi-square test.
Results: The results of the study suggested that the breastfeeding success rate, which was evaluated with IBFAT in both the first two breastfeeding stages and the last pre-discharge breastfeeding, was significantly higher for the mothers in the intervention group (p < .001). In addition, the mother’s need for support, which was evaluated with LATCH in the first two breastfeeding stages (p = .044) and the last pre-discharge breastfeeding (p < .001) in the intervention group, was less. The total number of breastfeeding sessions from birth to discharge was higher in the intervention group (p = .002). Furthermore, the mothers in the intervention group breastfed their infants in a significantly shorter time interval (p = .002). Breastfeeding self-efficacy, according to the BSES, was significantly higher in the mothers of the intervention group (p < .001).
Conclusion: Oketani massage can be used as a care intervention by nurses to improve breastfeeding in mothers who undergo cesarean sections
Evaluating, Improving, and Appreciating Peer Review at IJTMB
No full text Peer review is a mainstay of scientific publishing and, while peer reviewers and scientists report satisfaction with the process, peer review has not been without criticism. Within this editorial, the peer review process at the IJTMB is defined and explained. Further, seven steps are identified by the editors as a way to improve efficiency of the peer review and publication process. Those seven steps are: 1) Ask authors to submit possible reviewers; 2) Ask reviewers to update profiles; 3) Ask reviewers to “refer a friend”; 4) Thank reviewers regularly; 5) Ask published authors to review for the Journal; 6) Reduce the length of time to accept peer review invitation; and 7) Reduce requested time to complete peer review. We believe these small requests and changes can have a big effect on the quality of reviews and speed in which manuscripts are published. This manuscript will present instructions for completing peer review profiles. Finally, we more formally recognize and thank peer reviewers from 2018–2020
The The Effects of Massage Therapy on a Patient with Migraines and Cervical Spondylosis: a Case Report
No full textBackground: Migraines involve moderate- to-severe neck and face pain that lasts four to 72 hours, and are followed by fatigue and stiffness. Migraines are treated using medications, massage therapy (MT), and non-pharmacological alternatives. Cervical spondylosis (CS) is characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral discs, neck pain, and involvement of soft tissues in the cervical area. CS is treated using medications and manual therapy, including MT.
Objective: To determine the effects of MT on cervical range of motion and daily function in a patient with migraines and CS.
Case Presentation: The patient was an active 56-year-old female diagnosed with migraines and CS. Initial evaluation included cervical range of motion (ROM), goniometry, reflexes, myotomes, dermatomes, local sensation testing and orthopedic tests. Assessment was followed by five MT treatments. Swedish massage, myofascial trigger point release, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching were applied to the back, neck, head, and face. The Headache Disability Index (HDI) was administered on the initial and final visits to evaluate patient function. Cervical ROM was measured pre- and posttreatment using a universal goniometer. Treatment was conducted by a second-year MT student at the MacEwan Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta.
Results: All cervical ranges of motion improved. The Headache Disability Index score decreased, but was not considered significant. The patient reported decreased stiffness in the upper back and shoulders, reduced migraines, and better sleeping patterns after the MT intervention.
Conclusion: MT was effective in increasing cervical ROM, but had no significant effect on daily function. Further research is warranted on effects of MT on CS and migraines