Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing complementary and alternative medical therapies, with a 36% increase in visits to massage therapists between 1990-1997, and an estimated cost of $4-6 billion annually. It is purported to improve circulation, enhance relaxation, decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and pain, as well as stimulate feelings of well-being. Massage therapy is reported to have a myriad of treatment benefits for a wide array of disorders, including pain syndromes, arthritis, fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, asthma, HIV infection, and breast cancer. However, despite its widespread use, little is known about the mechanism of action of massage therapy, and the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (2002) has called for increased research investigating the mechanism of action and efficacy of massage therapy. In accordance with this recommendation, the goal of this proposal is to generate pilot data investigating the mechanism of action of massage therapy. Our working hypothesis is that massage will cause an increase in plasma levels of oxytocin. This increase in oxytocin secretion will be responsible for a decrease in basal cortisol levels, an increase in parasympathetic tone, enhanced immune function, as well as decreased measures of anxiety and depression.
The specific aims of this project are to gather preliminary data in normal volunteers investigating: (1) The immediate and cumulative effects of massage on endocrine, parasympathetic tone, immune function, and measures of depression, anxiety and well-being; and (2) The effects of the dosage/frequency of massage on these measures. The results of the proposed studies will serve to link existing clinical and basic science findings, as well as facilitate future investigations of the mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of massage in pathological conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AT002751-02
Application #
7060859
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-JH (05))
Program Officer
Khalsa, Partap Singh
Project Start
2005-06-01
Project End
2008-03-31
Budget Start
2006-04-01
Budget End
2007-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$228,501
Indirect Cost
Name
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
075307785
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90048
Rapaport, Mark H; Schettler, Pamela; Bresee, Catherine (2012) A preliminary study of the effects of repeated massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in healthy individuals: a study of mechanisms of action and dosage. J Altern Complement Med 18:789-97
Rapaport, Mark Hyman; Schettler, Pamela; Breese, Catherine (2010) A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. J Altern Complement Med 16:1079-88
Rapaport, Mark Hyman; Gharabawi, Georges M; Canuso, Carla M et al. (2006) Effects of risperidone augmentation in patients with treatment-resistant depression: Results of open-label treatment followed by double-blind continuation. Neuropsychopharmacology 31:2505-13
Rowe, Sarah K; Rapaport, Mark Hyman (2006) Classification and treatment of sub-threshold depression. Curr Opin Psychiatry 19:9-13