SynthesisPain medicine (Malden, Mass.)2016
The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part III, Surgical Pain Populations.
Synthesis in Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Massage for Pain: An Evidence Map.Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2019Pooled it
- The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part II, Cancer Pain Populations.Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2016Pooled it
- Outcomes of a Remotely Delivered Complementary and Integrative Health Partnered Intervention to Improve Chronic Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Trial
- The investigation of effect on foot plantar massage on functional recovery in older adults with general surgery, randomized clinical trial.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2024Trial
- Effect of Foot Reflexology on Muscle Electrical Activity, Pressure, Plantar Distribution, and Body Sway in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Trial
- Therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for acute pain in the emergency department.Integrative medicine research · 2026Review
- Effects of Brain Wave Vibration Training on the Pain and Fatigue Disturbance Symptom Cluster in Persons with Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Traditional and Complimentary Medicine in Oman.Sultan Qaboos University medical journal · 2023Article
- [Nonpharmacological pain therapy for chronic pain].Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie · 2018Article
- ROLLER MASSAGE: A COMMENTARY ON CLINICAL STANDARDS AND SURVEY OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONALS- PART 1.International journal of sports physical therapy · 2018Article
- Immediate Symptom Relief After a First Session of Massage Therapy or Reiki in Hospitalized Patients: A 5-Year Clinical Experience from a Rural Academic Medical Center.Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2018Article
- Fasciatherapy and Reflexology compared to Hypnosis and Music Therapy in Daily Stress Management.International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork · 2017Article
- Scientific Evaluation and Review of Claims in Health Care (SEaRCH): A Streamlined, Systematic, Phased Approach for Determining "What Works" in Healthcare.Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2017Article
- Use of Integrative Medicine in the United States Military Health System.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2017Review
- A Time for Massage.Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2016Article
- Massage Therapy for Pain-Call to Action.Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2016Article
- The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part I, Patients Experiencing Pain in the General Population.Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2016Article
- The Effects of Massage Therapy in Decreasing Pain and Anxiety in Post-Surgical Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Global advances in integrative medicine and healthArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivePain is multi-dimensional and may be better addressed through a holistic, biopsychosocial approach. Massage therapy is commonly practiced among patients seeking pain management; however, its efficacy is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to rigorously assess the quality of the evidence for massage therapy's efficacy in treating pain, function-related, and health-related quality of life outcomes in surgical pain populations.
methodsKey databases were searched from inception through February 2014. Eligible randomized controlled trials were assessed for methodological quality using SIGN 50 Checklist. Meta-analysis was applied at the outcome level. A professionally diverse steering committee interpreted the results to develop recommendations.
resultsTwelve high quality and four low quality studies were included in the review. Results indicate massage therapy is effective for treating pain [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.79] and anxiety (SMD = -0.57) compared to active comparators.
conclusionBased on the available evidence, weak recommendations are suggested for massage therapy, compared to active comparators for reducing pain intensity/severity and anxiety in patients undergoing surgical procedures. This review also discusses massage therapy safety, challenges within this research field, how to address identified research gaps, and next steps for future research.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.