SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2026
Effectiveness of manual therapy on physical and mental health promotion in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Manual therapy, as a non-invasive treatment applied to the body surface, can release local fascia, relieve tension, promote blood circulation, and regulate physiological and pathological states. It has been widely used in the rehabilitation of various conditions, such as chronic pain and movement disorders. However, comprehensive evidence on the effectiveness of manual therapy for adults' psychological and physiological health is still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of manual therapy interventions on adults' physical and mental health through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Up to November 1, 2025, we searched four databases-PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase. Only randomized controlled trials were included to assess the effects of manual therapy on adults' physical activity, psychological status, and related outcomes. Outcomes included changes in clinical symptoms, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and others. Quantitative analyses were conducted using Review Manager, and results were presented with forest plots. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, and overall certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: A total of 88 studies involving 5,524 participants were included. Manual therapy interventions were mainly categorized into three types: massage therapy, reflexology, and joint mobilization. Compared with controls, participants receiving manual therapy showed a reduction in clinical symptoms such as pain (VAS decreased by 16.01; 95% CI: -19.35 to -12.68; Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that manual therapy may help improve clinical symptoms, health-related indicators, and psychological status in adult patients, thereby enhancing overall quality of life. However, in light of the limitations of the current evidence, we cautiously suggest that, when aligned with patient preferences, manual therapy may be considered as an adjunctive option within comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD420251244910.
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