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The purpose of this study was to assess possible effects of massage as
compared to listening to relaxation tapes in conditions of long-term
musculoskeletal pain. During treatment there was a significant improvement
in the three main outcome measures (self-rated health, mental energy, and
muscle pain) in the massage group but not in the relaxation group. At the
3-month post-treatment follow-up, outcome measures returned to initial rating
levels in the massage group as compared to no changes in the relaxation group.
Massage, but not mental relaxation, was found to be beneficial in lessening
diffuse musculoskeletal symptoms, but these effects were registered only during
treatment. The lack of long-term benefits could be due to the short treatment
period or because treatments such as these may not address the underlying causes
of pain. Future studies of long-term pain should include longer treatment periods,
post-treatment follow-up, and assessment of the long-term benefits from booster
treatment after the initial intense treatment period. Hasson D, Arnetz B, Jelveus L,
et al. Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University,
Uppsala, Sweden. Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics. 73(1):17-24, 2004
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14665792
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