Acute Swedish Massage Monotherapy Successfully Remediates Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01337713.

An Active Inference Approach to Interoceptive Psychopathology

“…From the perspective of somatic error, this intervention also relies heavily on modulation of the current body state, potentially forcing a recalibration of the prior set point. Other interventions involving interoceptive modulations of the observed body state that have been found to potentially benefit mental health include the following: the modulation of muscle tension via Swedish massage (Rapaport et al 2016), yoga (Jeter et al 2015), and exercise (Smits et al 2008a): repeated brief exposures to high doses of CO 2 (Wolpe 1987): and cyclic activation of the sympathetic nervous system and suppression of the immune response through cold immersion and CO 2 modulation using alternating cycles of hyperventilation followed by breath holding (Kox et al 2014).…”

Massage therapy decreases cancer‐related fatigue: Results from a randomized early phase trial

“…The sample size of 20 subjects per arm was based on the time and budget limitations for this early phase trial and on our team's experience recruiting for other breast cancer survivor studies and for other early phase massage trials in normal volunteers and subjects with anxiety disorders. 39,49,50 Because there were no published data upon which to base power analysis of expected group differences in breast cancer survivors, we focused on standardized treatment effect size differences rather than on statistical power. Based on results from our prior studies, we anticipated that this trial would demonstrate at least a moderate effect size (0.50 or larger) for the superiority of SMT over both LT and WLC on the 3 outcome measures of improvement in fatigue and quality of life.…”

“…The sample size of 20 subjects per arm was based on the time and budget limitations for this early phase trial and on our team's experience recruiting for other breast cancer survivor studies and for other early phase massage trials in normal volunteers and subjects with anxiety disorders . Because there were no published data upon which to base power analysis of expected group differences in breast cancer survivors, we focused on standardized treatment effect size differences rather than on statistical power.…”

“…The treatment interventions were performed as described by Rapaport et al Treatment sessions occurred between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm . At the start of each visit, the study coordinator obtained information from the patient about changes in health or pregnancy status, use of prescription or over‐the‐counter medications, illicit substance use, and any new life events.…”

Commentary on Operationalizing Partnership Between a Traditional Research Institution and a Massage School

“…In 2011 Mark Rapaport, MD, moved from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Cedars-Sinai) in Los Angeles, CA, to Emory; with him came a NIHfunded project, Massage for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (MGAD) (5) (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01337713). To conduct this project in Atlanta, GA, Emory identified ASM as a research partner.…”