The randomized, single-blind study compared twice-weekly Swedish massage therapy (SMT) versus light touch over a six-week period for participants with GAD. Therapy sessions lasted 45 minutes under the same room conditions. Patient assessments, self-reported and clinician-rated, were done before the initial session and again after each subsequent session.
This was the first monotherapy study ever done on massage for an anxiety disorder. Researchers found as early as session five that individuals who received SMT showed greater improvement of anxiety symptoms than those who received light touch. There was also a decrease in depression symptoms among those who received massage.
Read the full article on medicalxpress.com, written by Robin Reese.
