The effect of deep-tissue massage therapy on blood pressure and heart rate.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we describe the effects of deep tissue massage on systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure.


METHODS
The study involved 263 volunteers (12% males and 88% females), with an average age of 48.5. Overall muscle spasm/muscle strain was described as either moderate or severe for each patient. Baseline blood pressure and heart rate were measured via an automatic blood pressure cuff. Twenty-one (21) different soothing CDs played in the background as the deep tissue massage was performed over the course of the study. The massages were between 45 and 60 minutes in duration. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance with post-hoc Scheffe's F-test.


RESULTS
Results of the present study demonstrated an average systolic pressure reduction of 10.4 mm Hg (p<0.06), a diastolic pressure reduction of 5.3 mm Hg (p<0.04), a mean arterial pressure reduction of 7.0 mm Hg (p<0.47), and an average heart rate reduction of 10.8 beats per minute (p<0.0003), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional scientific research in this area is warranted.
Kaye
Alan David
AD
Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. akaye@lsuhsc.edu
Kaye
Aaron J
AJ
Swinford
Jan
J
Baluch
Amir
A
Bawcom
Brad A
BA
Lambert
Thomas J
TJ
Hoover
Jason M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome