title: A pragmatic investigation into the effects of massage therapy on the self efficacy of multiple sclerosis clients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research was conducted to examine changes in self self-efficacy, (the perception/belief that one can competently cope with a challenging situation) in multiple sclerosis clients following a series of massage therapy treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  This small practical trial investigated the effects of a pragmatic treatment protocol using a prospective randomized pretest posttest waitlist control design. Self-Efficacy scores were obtained before the first treatment, mid-treatment series, after the last treatment in the series, four weeks after the final treatment and again eight weeks after the final treatment had been received.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention involved a series of weekly one hour therapeutic massage treatments conducted over eight weeks and a subsequent eight week follow up period. All treatments were delivered by supervised student therapists in the final term of their two year massage therapy program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-Efficacy [SE] was the outcome for the study, measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy survey [MSSE]. Descriptive statistics for SE scores were assessed and inferential analysis involved the testing of between group differences at each of the measurement points noted above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy was noted between treatment (n = 8) and control (n = 7) groups at mid treatment series (t = 2.32; p < 0.02), post treatment series (t = 1.81; p < 0.05) and at four week follow up (t = 2.24; p < 0.02). At the eight week follow up self-efficacy scores had decreased and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (t = 0.87; p < 0.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study results support previous findings indicating that massage therapy increases the self-efficacy of clients with multiple sclerosis, potentially resulting in a better overall adjustment to the disease and an improvement in psycho-emotional state. The increase in self-efficacy after 4 weeks of treatment suggests that positive response occurs more rapidly that was previously demonstrated. The improvement in self-efficacy endured 4 weeks after the end of the treatment series, which suggests that massage therapy may have longer term effects on self-efficacy that were not previously noted. Lack of inter group difference at the eight week follow up reinforces the notion that on-going treatment is required in order to maintain the positive changes observed.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4M4, Canada. Electronic address: pfinch@conestogac.on.ca.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Finch
authors.affiliation: Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy, Toronto, Ontario M5R 1V9, Canada.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bessonnette
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Massage therapy; Multiple sclerosis; Self-efficacy