Massage therapy in the workplace: reducing employee strain and blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Day
A L
AL
Dept of Psychology, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS. Arla.Day@smu.ca
Gillan
L
L
Francis
L
L
Kelloway
E K
EK
Natarajan
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017132:Workplace