Bulimic adolescents benefit from massage therapy

Adolescence. 1998 Fall;33(131):555-63.

Abstract

Twenty-four female adolescent bulimic inpatients were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or a standard treatment (control) group. Results indicated that the massaged patients showed immediate reductions (both self-report and behavior observation) in anxiety and depression. In addition, by the last day of the therapy, they had lower depression scores, lower cortisol (stress) levels, higher dopamine levels, and showed improvement on several other psychological and behavioral measures. These findings suggest that massage therapy is effective as an adjunct treatment for bulimia.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bulimia / psychology
  • Bulimia / therapy*
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis
  • Massage*
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Stress, Psychological / prevention & control
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone