Massage therapy in the workplace: reducing employee strain and blood pressure

A L Day; L Gillan; L Francis; E K Kelloway; M Natarajan

Massage therapy in the workplace: reducing employee strain and blood pressure

G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2009 Jul-Sep;31(3 Suppl B):B25-30.

Authors

A L Day¹, L Gillan, L Francis, E K Kelloway, M Natarajan

Affiliation

¹ Dept of Psychology, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS. Arla.Day@smu.ca

PMID: 20518225

Abstract

Aim: Assess the effects of workplace-based massage therapy on physiological and psychological outcomes.

Methods: We used afield experiment in which 28 participants were randomly assigned into either an experimental (n = 14) or control (n = 14) group. The experimental group received weekly massage treatments at work for a four week period while the control group did not.

Results: Both strain and blood pressure were significantly reduced during treatment for the experimental group but not for the control group.

Conclusions: This study provides initial support for the effectiveness of workplace-based massage therapy as part of a comprehensive workplace health strategy.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Blood Pressure*
Female
Humans
Male
Massage*
Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
Occupational Health*
Stress, Psychological / prevention & control*
Workplace*