title: Evaluating the use of gas discharge visualization to measure massage therapy outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of massage therapy using gas discharge visualization (GDV), a computerized biophysical electrophoton capture (EPC), in tandem with traditional self-report measures to evaluate the use of GDV measurement to assess the bioenergetic whole-person effects of massage therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a single treatment group, pre-post-repeated measures design with a sample of 23 healthy adults. This study utilized a single 50-min full-body relaxation massage with participants. GDV measurement method, an EPC, and traditional paper-based measures evaluating pain, stress, muscle tension, and well-being were used to assess intervention outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found between pre- and post-measures of well-being, pain, stress, muscle tension, and GDV parameters. Pearson correlations indicate the GDV measure is correlated with pain and stress, variables that impact the whole person.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that GDV parameters may be used to indicate significant bioenergetic change from pre- to post-massage. Findings warrant further investigation with a larger diverse sample size and control group to further explore GDV as a measure of whole-person bioenergetic effects associated with massage.
authors.forename: Jolie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: Nitin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritenbaugh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D017785:Photons; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases