Prevalence of visits to massage therapists by the general population: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review 12-month prevalence of visits to massage therapists by representative samples of the general population across countries.


METHODS
Surveys reporting estimates of overall CAM use were included. Studies were identified via database searches. Study quality was assessed using a six-item tool.


RESULTS
Twenty-two surveys across six countries were included. Estimates for 12-month prevalence of visits to massage therapists by adults ranged from 0.4% to 20% and the median was 5.5%. Estimates for children were 0.3%-3.8% (median 0.7%), while estimates for older adults were 1.5%-16.2% (median 5.2%). 16 surveys (73%) met at least four of six quality criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
This review summarises 12-month prevalence of visits to massage therapists in six countries (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and South Korea). A small but significant percentage of these general populations visit massage therapists each year.
Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, PO Box 377, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB, UK. Electronic address: peharris@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
Philip E
PE
Harris
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. Electronic address: k.l.cooper@sheffield.ac.uk.
Katy L
KL
Cooper
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. Electronic address: c.relton@sheffield.ac.uk.
Clare
C
Relton
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. Electronic address: k.thomas@sheffield.ac.uk.
Kate J
KJ
Thomas
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Massage; Prevalence; Systematic review