Massage therapy improves the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Massage therapy has promise as an adjunct to standard alcohol detoxification procedures but has not been investigated comprehensively.


METHODS
The study was a randomized controlled trial comparing massage therapy to a "rest" (control) condition in patients undergoing alcohol detoxification.


METHODS
Hospital-based alcohol and drug detoxification clinic.


METHODS
Fifty (50) patients with alcohol dependence (41 males, 9 females).


METHODS
The massage intervention involved a seated back, shoulder, head, and neck massage.


METHODS
Alcohol Withdrawal Scale, respiration, pulse rate, and subjective patient evaluation.


RESULTS
Those receiving massage generally showed reductions in pulse rate on 3 of the 4 days of treatment compared to the control group. Massage was also more effective in reducing Alcohol Withdrawal Scale scores in the early stages of the detoxification process. Respiration in the massage group was reduced toward the end of the detoxification admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Massage shows promise as an adjunct to traditional medical detoxification for alcohol.
Reader
Margaret
M
Hospital Alcohol and Drug Services, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Young
Ross
R
Connor
Jason P
JP
D000328:Adult; D020751:Alcohol-Induced Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome