title: Rheumatoid arthritis in upper limbs benefits from moderate pressure massage therapy.
abstract: METHODS
  Forty-two adults with rheumatoid arthritis in the upper limbs were randomly assigned to a moderate pressure or a light pressure massage therapy group. A therapist massaged the affected arm and shoulder once a week for a 4-week period and also taught the participant self-massage to be done once daily.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The moderate pressure vs. the light pressure massage therapy group had less pain and perceived greater grip strength following the first and last massage sessions. By the end of the one month period the moderate pressure massage group had less pain, greater grip strength and greater range of motion in their wrist and large upper joints (elbows and shoulders).
authors.affiliation: Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, PO Box 016820, Miami, FL 33101, USA. tfield@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diego
authors.forename: Jeannette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D034941:Upper Extremity