Thesis (MOccTher.--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Purpose & Objectives: To foster improved client care and the continued professionalization of Massage Therapy (MT), it is important that MT practitioners research utilization is more clearly understood. The purpose of the study was to explore Massage Therapists (MTs) perceptions of research and their self-reported research utilization. Specifically, to 1) describe MTs perceptions of research and their appraised self-efficacy in research literacy and capacity; 2) better understand the nature of MTs research utilization; 3) identify what practitioner characteristics are associated with research utilization.<p> Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, the study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, all (815) registered members of the Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS) were invited to participate in a mail-out survey. In the second phase, semi-structured qualitative interviews using a critical incident framework explored the nature of practitioners use of research. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS.<p> Results: In total, 333 questionnaires were returned for a 41% response rate. MTAS members reported overall positive perceptions of research as indicated by high endorsement of its value in adding credibility to MT and by majority agreement that MT practice should be based on research. Reported self-efficacy in various research literacy and capacity skills revealed low levels of knowledge and experience. Reported reference to online research databases, reference to peer-reviewed journals, the belief that MT practice should be based on research, and working more than 20 hours per week were all predictive of research utilization. Case study participants described specific events regarding challenges and successes in utilizing research in their practices and key factors underpinning research utilization were issues of access, issues related to the practitioner, issues of the research itself, and issues of impact on care.<p> Conclusion & Implications: While members of the MTAS perceive research positively, a gap exists between research and practice. Challenges to the diffusion of research appear to be occurring at the stages of research awareness and understanding. Curriculum in MT schools should include more critical appraisal training and more research-based resources. Provincial regulatory status may be the first step to quality training and service delivery.

Purpose & Objectives: To foster improved client care and the continued professionalization of Massage Therapy (MT), it is important that MT practitioners research utilization is more clearly understood. The purpose of the study was to explore Massage Therapists (MTs) perceptions of research and their self-reported research utilization. Specifically, to 1) describe MTs perceptions of research and their appraised self-efficacy in research literacy and capacity; 2) better understand the nature of MTs research utilization; 3) identify what practitioner characteristics are associated with research utilization.<p> Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, the study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, all (815) registered members of the Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS) were invited to participate in a mail-out survey. In the second phase, semi-structured qualitative interviews using a critical incident framework explored the nature of practitioners use of research. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS.<p> Results: In total, 333 questionnaires were returned for a 41% response rate. MTAS members reported overall positive perceptions of research as indicated by high endorsement of its value in adding credibility to MT and by majority agreement that MT practice should be based on research. Reported self-efficacy in various research literacy and capacity skills revealed low levels of knowledge and experience. Reported reference to online research databases, reference to peer-reviewed journals, the belief that MT practice should be based on research, and working more than 20 hours per week were all predictive of research utilization. Case study participants described specific events regarding challenges and successes in utilizing research in their practices and key factors underpinning research utilization were issues of access, issues related to the practitioner, issues of the research itself, and issues of impact on care.<p> Conclusion & Implications: While members of the MTAS perceive research positively, a gap exists between research and practice. Challenges to the diffusion of research appear to be occurring at the stages of research awareness and understanding. Curriculum in MT schools should include more critical appraisal training and more research-based resources. Provincial regulatory status may be the first step to quality training and service delivery.

Augmented soft tissue mobilization therapy (ASTM) is a newly developed massage technique. ASTM is applied with the aid of specifically designed, solid instruments and has been successfully used in the treatment of chronic tendinitis patients. In a study on collage nase -injure d rat Achilles tendons treated with ASTM, Davidson et. al (1997) reported gait improvement as well as fibroblasts proliferation and suggested ASTM may augment healing by the recruitment of fibroblast. The present study examined the morphological response of enzyme-induced rat Achilles tendons to 3 different ASTM pressure application: 1 newton; 2 newtons and 3 newtons. Collagenase-injured tendons exhibited disrupted and randomly arranged collagen fibers. Treatment applications were performed for 4 days for a total of 4 treatments. Morphological differences were demonstrated between groups in proportion to the ASTM treatment pressure application. The ASTM group treated with 3 newtons demonstrated the greatest mean fibroblast count (370.3 +/- 51.6). Further, electron microscopy revealed the presence of activated fibroblasts in the tendons of the 3 newtons, ASTM group. However, immunochemical staining comparisons of Type I and III collagen, fibroblast growth factor receptor, and insulin-like growth factor between groups were not remarkable. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Adler School of Professional Psychology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-94).

Pain and distress/anxiety are likely to result from breast cancer and/or the medical treatment associated with this illness. Breast cancer researchers have focused on massage therapy and its influence on pain and distress in breast cancer patients; however, these research efforts were limited by small sample sizes, homogeneous populations, and small to medium effect sizes. This study explores the effectiveness of massage therapy for decreasing pain and distress in a larger, heterogeneous population of breast cancer patients and across all durations and frequencies of treatment by pooling the findings of former studies. The gate control theory which relates to the experience of pain, the psychotherapy theory which suggests massage acts much like psychotherapy, and the physical touch theory all suggest that massage may decrease pain and distress/anxiety. In order to be included in the meta-analysis, the study needed to be printed in English between the years 2004 and 2012, use the same variables and same method of treatment, and report an effect size or statistics that allowed for effect size calculation. The meta-analysis was quantitative and the effect sizes for each study were calculated using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. CMA also calculated the overall pooled effect size. Findings indicated that individual studies showed some improvements in pain and distress after receiving treatment; however, when pooled, the results indicated that massage therapy did not significantly improve levels of pain and distress in breast cancer patients. Although findings were non significant, the use of massage therapy improved symptoms of pain and distress in breast cancer patients.

Background: Evidence-informed practice (EIP) is part of a healthcare ethos, in which practitioners apply evidence together with their expertise contextualized by the unique values of the patient. Studies about EIP focus on attitudes or confidence related to EIP. Individuals’ abilities to assess their own knowledge or performance are low. Therefore, a positive rating of attitude or confidence does not likely portray accurately the EIP knowledge or ability of the practitioner. It was hypothesized that awareness of evidence might be a more accurate measure. Objective: This study sought to understand registered massage therapists’ (RMTs) awareness of the current evidence for practice and to identify sources of information that inform that awareness. Methods: An online questionnaire-based mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted. Ontario RMTs were invited to participate. This report focuses on the results of the quantitative analysis. Results: In total, 1,762 questionnaires were included; a 16.9% response rate. The mean awareness score was 9.4 ± 7.2. A multiple regression showed four factors that explained 4% of the variation seen in the awareness score: membership in the professional association (RMTAO), EIP attitude score, post-graduate education, and home-based practice. Of seven sources of information provided, respondents rated cumulative professional experience as most important, followed by recent research studies and education. Cumulative professional experience also rated as most frequently used, followed by other RMTs and education. Conclusions: This study investigated the level of awareness of evidence of RMTs. The results of the awareness score showed opportunity for improvement and require further investigation. Future research should explore other factors, which may show a better model of predictability of the awareness score. It is proposed that awareness of the evidence for practice might be a better predictor of use of evidence in practice than self-reported attitude or capacity but further research is needed. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Full text release at OhioLINK's ETD Center delayed at author's request

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / Background: Myofascial pain is the most common cause of persistent regional pain such as back pain, shoulder pain, tension-type headaches and facial pain. A variety of therapeutic modalities are proposed in the treatment of myofascial pain including massage. A variety of massage oils are available on the market, each claiming therapeutic efficacy. Most of these claims, however, have not been verified through clinical trials. Methods: A double-blinded placebo controlled study in which 80 subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups of twenty. Subjects in Group 1 received unscented mineral oil, those in Group 2 received scented mineral oil. Subjects in Group 4 received Arnica Massage oil while those in Group 4 received Blue Steel Arnica Massage oil. Results and Conclusions: The use of Arnica Massage oil or Blue Steel Arnica Massage oil resulted in almost 50 % pain reduction in the subjects after five days of self-administered treatment. Both these products can be recommended for the treatment of myofascial pain syndromes but one cannot be placed in preference to the other, as the results were similar with regards to their effectiveness.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / There are mechanical loads applied to the patella tendon in almost all sporting activities and as a result is commonly injured (Peterson and Renström, 2003:321). Patellar tendinopathy is a common chronic tendinopathy (Hamilton and Purdman, 2004) and occurs commonly in athletes who impose rapid eccentric loading of the knee extensor mechanism (Norris, 2004:246). Deep Transverse Friction Massage (DTFM) and soft tissue mobilization are the two most common forms of manual therapy used to treat patellar tendinopathy (Rees et al., 2006). DTFM is considered the most effective treatment for patellar tendinopathy (Brunker and Khan, 2002:487). It is theorised that DTFM causes the softening of scar tissue and the breakdown of adhesions, promoting the realignment of disrupted connective tissue fibrils within the affected tendon (Stasinopoulos and Johnson, 2007). Graston Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (GIASTM) consists of a set of stainless steel instruments (Carey 2003:2) and is an advanced form of soft tissue mobilization used in detecting and releasing scar tissue, adhesions and fascial restrictions (Carey, 2003:7). The controlled microtrauma created by these instruments is hypothesised to create a localised inflammatory response (Hammer, 2004) in a similar mechanism to that of DTFM. The aim of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of GIASTM versus DTFM in treating patellar tendinopathy. The study included a total of twenty-six knees among twenty-one patients. Patients were placed randomly into either the GIASTM group or the DTFM group. Each patient received a total of twelve treatments over a three month period. Algometer and inclinometer readings were recorded at set intervals and compromised objective measures. Two questionnaires and a numerical pain rating scale (NRS) were administered at set intervals and compromised subjective measures. SPSS version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) was used to analyse the data. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine changes in quantitative outcomes over the time points (intragroup analysis) and a treatment effect (intergroup analysis). To control for the partial pairing in the intergroup analysis, a variable which classified each subject as paired (both left and right knee used in study) or non-paired (only used once in study) was used as a factor in the model. Correlations between the intragroup changes in the various outcome variables were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Statistical analysis of both objective and subjective data revealed significant improvements for most outcome measures in the study. Findings imply that GIASTM is as effective as DTFM in treating patellar tendinopathy.