title: Thai traditional massage: efficiency-assessment of three traditional massage methods on office workers: an explorative study.
abstract: Thai Traditional Massage (TTM) is popular and widely spread in Thailand. This project is aimed at studying the physiological efficiency of three popular TTM methods based on acupressure Meridian basal lines: the Sen Sib(SS) ten lines, Ratchsamnak (RS), Royal style; and Chaloeysak (CS), Folk style. Thirty healthy female administrative employees participated as patients. All were treated for 30 min with the 3 types of massage with a two-week interval between each treatment. Muscle strain was objectified by measuring strength and endurance with surface electromyography of muscle put under stress during office work: the M. Trapezius (static postural load) and the wrist muscles (M. flexors & extensors Carpi-Radialis) (dynamic contractions) as well as measuring the subjective Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the sessions. An ANOVA-statistical analysis showed that strength in shoulders was not significantly different, but some forearm fatigue was decreased significantly among the three massage techniques.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Rangsit University, Paholyotin Rd. Muang Ake, Pathumtani 12000, Thailand; Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumtani, Thailand. Electronic address: pongjan@rsu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Pongjan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yoopat
authors.affiliation: Mensana, Gentse steenweg, 132, B-8400 Sijsele, Damme, Belgium; Rehabilitation Centre EZ-HHK, Campus Sijsele, Gentse steenweg, 132, Sijsele, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Mensana, Gentse steenweg, 132, B-8400 Sijsele, Damme, Belgium; Rehabilitation Centre EZ-HHK, Campus Sijsele, Gentse steenweg, 132, Sijsele, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poriau
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Rangsit University, Paholyotin Rd. Muang Ake, Pathumtani 12000, Thailand; Mensana, Gentse steenweg, 132, B-8400 Sijsele, Damme, Belgium; Cergo International, Breestraat 28/8, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium; Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumtani, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kamiel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanwonterghem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D063806:Myalgia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012782:Shoulder; D013785:Thailand; D014953:Wrist
keywords: EMG; Massage efficiency; Muscle strength & endurance; Thai massage; VAS