Pediatric massage
Pediatric massage is the complementary and alternative treatment that uses massage therapy, or "the manual manipulation of soft tissue intended to promote health and well-being" for children and adolescents.[1] Its goal is to reduce pain, anxiety, loneliness and fear when children are hospitalized or diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition. Pediatric massage therapy takes into consideration each child's individual physical development, cognitive development and health care needs.
Special Precautions
Massage therapists practice hands-on therapeutic techniques to address a variety of medical and non-medical concerns for patients. As with all massage specialties, advanced training matters. Special precautions should be taken due to the patient’s vulnerability, both physically and emotionally, and to minimize risk and discomfort to the patient. Children may have apprehension relating to touch due to their medical treatments.
Evidence
Infant massage
Infant massage is a type of complementary and alternative treatment that uses massage therapy for human infants. This therapy has been practiced globally, and has been increasingly used in Western countries as a treatment for infants, though the scientific evidence supporting its use is limited. Research into the effectiveness of massage therapy on full term infants has found some tentative evidence for some benefits such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills and psychomotor development, though the evidence is not strong enough to recommend universally, and more research is needed.[2] Research in pre-term infants and low birth weight infants have found weak evidence that massage might improve weight gain, but these results are based on possibly biased studies and therefore no recommendation can be made for universal use.[3]
Non-infant pediatric massage
- Reduced anxiety and tension[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
- Reduced pain [7][9][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]
- Improved long-range emotional and cognitive development[19][20][21]
- Improved healing/immune function[22][23][24]
- Relaxation for the parent/caregiver and baby/child[6][23]
- Improved gastrointestinal functioning/relief of gas and constipation[9][25]
- Improved sleep patterns[26][27]
- Increased parent-child bonding (when parent administered)[28][29]
- Increased confidence in parenting skills (when parent administered)[29]
- Improved focus and attention span[30]
Research shows that massage therapy can ease both physical symptoms as well as emotional discomforts associated with pediatric medical conditions.[17] The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine is a primary medical research provider for massage and touch therapy, including pediatric massage and infant massage. Pediatric massage also can help manage chronic conditions such as asthma by providing relaxation and reducing muscle tone in the chest, back and neck, nausea, constipation and muscle aches (myalgia).
Immediately after receiving massage, children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis notice decreased anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels.[31] For young patients with autism or ADHD, pediatric massage has been found to reduce their aversion to touch, while increasing their ability to focus.[32][33][34] Pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis report feeling less anxious, and their ability to breathe and pulmonary functions improved.[35][36]
Pediatric massage was also found to have benefit in relieving post-traumatic stress.[37]
Limitations in research
Like many other complementary and alternative medicine modalities, many research studies reporting benefit from pediatric massage have been small in scale and vulnerable to bias. Comprehensive medical reviews of the existing pediatric massage research reinforce the benefits, but ask for larger-scale, scientifically rigorous studies.[38] Physicians are recommended to educate themselves and their patients about the empirically validated benefits and precautions associated with pediatric massage.[39]
References
- ^ Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold JI (December 2007). "Pediatric massage therapy: an overview for clinicians". Pediatr. Clin. North Am. 54 (6): 1025–41, xii–xiii. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2007.10.001. PMID 18061789.
- ^ Bennett, Cathy; Underdown, Angela; Barlow, Jane (2013-04-30). "Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4): CD005038. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005038.pub3. ISSN 1469-493X. PMC 8078453. PMID 23633323.
- ^ Vickers A, Ohlsson A, Lacy JB, Horsley A (2004). "Massage for promoting growth and development of preterm and/or low birth-weight infants". Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2): CD000390. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000390.pub2. PMC 6956667. PMID 15106151.
- ^ Field T.; Morrow C.; Valdeon C.; Larson S.; Kuhn C.; Schanberg S. (1992). "Massage reduces depression and anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients". Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 31 (1): 125–131. doi:10.1097/00004583-199201000-00019. PMID 1537763.
- ^ Field T.; Grizzle N.; Scafidi F.; Schanberg S. (1996). "Massage and relaxation therapies' effects on depressed adolescent mothers". Adolescence. 31 (124): 903–911. PMID 8970662.
- ^ a b Oz Mehmet C.; Whitworth Gerard C.; Liu Eric H. (1998). "Complementary Medicine in the Surgical Wards". JAMA. 279 (9): 710–711. doi:10.1001/jama.279.9.710-jms0304-5-1. PMID 9496995.
- ^ a b Haun JN, Graham-Pole J, Shortley B (Jun 2009). "Children with cancer and blood diseases experience positive physical and psychological effects from massage therapy". Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2 (2): 7–14. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v2i2.12. PMC 3091462. PMID 21589728.
- ^ Hernandez-Reif M, Shor-Posner G, Baez J, Soto S, Mendoza R, Castillo R, Quintero N, Perez E, Zhang G (Sep 2008). "Dominican Children with HIV not Receiving Antiretrovirals: Massage Therapy Influences their Behavior and Development". Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 5 (3): 345–354. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem032. PMC 2529379. PMID 18830444.
- ^ a b c Hughes D, Ladas E, Rooney D, Kelly K (May 2008). "Massage therapy as a supportive care intervention for children with cancer". Oncol Nurs Forum. 35 (3): 431–42. doi:10.1188/08.onf.431-442. PMID 18467292. S2CID 6266704.
- ^ Pediatric massage therapy: an overview for clinicians. Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold JI" Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;54(6):1025-41.
- ^ Mencía SB, López-Herce JC, Freddi N. "Analgesia and sedation in children: practical approach for the most frequent situations. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2007 May;83(2 Suppl):S71-82.
- ^ Ali S, Drendel AL, Kircher J, Beno S (Jul 2010). "Pain management of musculoskeletal injuries in children: current state and future directions". Pediatr Emerg Care. 26 (7): 518–24. doi:10.1097/pec.0b013e3181e5c02b. PMID 20622635. S2CID 28302486.
- ^ Parlak Gürol A, Polat S, Akçay MN (May 2010). "Itching, pain, and anxiety levels are reduced with massage therapy in burned adolescents". J Burn Care Res. 31 (3): 429–32. doi:10.1097/bcr.0b013e3181db522c. PMID 20453734. S2CID 3679959.
- ^ Von Stülpnagel C, Reilich P, Straube A, Schäfer J, Blaschek A, Lee SH, Müller-Felber W, Henschel V, Mansmann U, Heinen F (Apr 2009). "Myofascial trigger points in children with tension-type headache: a new diagnostic and therapeutic option. J". Child Neurol. 24 (4): 406–9. doi:10.1177/0883073808324540. PMID 19339283. S2CID 11461767.
- ^ Diego MA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M (Apr 2009). "Procedural pain heart rate responses in massaged preterm infants". Infant Behav. Dev. 32 (2): 226–9. doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2008.12.001. PMC 2694508. PMID 19185352.
- ^ Evans S, Tsao JC, Zeltzer LK (Sep 2008). "Complementary and alternative medicine for acute procedural pain in children". Altern Ther Health Med. 14 (5): 52–6. PMID 18780584.
- ^ a b Suresh S, Wang S, Porfyris S, Kamasinski-Sol R, Steinhorn DM (Sep 2008). "Massage therapy in outpatient pediatric chronic pain patients: do they facilitate significant reductions in levels of distress, pain, tension, discomfort, and mood alterations?". Paediatr Anaesth. 18 (9): 884–7. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9592.2008.02638.x. PMID 18768049.
- ^ Lowe RM, Hashkes PJ (Oct 2008). "Growing pains: a noninflammatory pain syndrome of early childhood". Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol. 4 (10): 542–9. doi:10.1038/ncprheum0903. PMID 18762787. S2CID 8894456.
- ^ Procianoy RS, Mendes EW, Silveira RC (Jan 2010). "Massage therapy improves neurodevelopment outcome at two years corrected age for very low birth weight infants". Early Human Development. 86 (1): 7–11. doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2009.12.001. PMID 20022717.
- ^ Kemper KJ, Shannon S (Dec 2007). "Complementary and alternative medicine therapies to promote healthy moods". Pediatr Clin North Am. 54 (6): 901–26. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2007.09.002. PMC 2329575. PMID 18061783.
- ^ Zebracki K, Holzman K, Bitter KJ, Feehan K, Miller ML (Sep 2007). "Brief report: use of complementary and alternative medicine and psychological functioning in Latino children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or arthralgia". J Pediatr Psychol. 32 (8): 1006–10. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm033. PMID 17626068.
- ^ Diego M.A.; Hernandez-Reif M.; Field T.; Friedman L.; Shaw K. (2001). "HIV adolescents show improved immune function following massage therapy". International Journal of Neuroscience. 106 (1–2): 35–45. doi:10.3109/00207450109149736. PMID 11264907. S2CID 32089766.
- ^ a b Field T.; Cullen C.; Diego M.; Hernandez-Reif M.; Sprinz P.; Beebe K.; Kissel B.; Bango-Sanchez V. (2001). "Leukemia immune changes following massage therapy". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 3 (4): 1–5. doi:10.1054/jbmt.2001.0228.
- ^ Pediatric massage therapy: an overview for clinicians. Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold JI" Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;54(6) 1025-41; xii-xiii. Review.
- ^ Green AD, Alioto A, Mousa H, Di Lorenzo C (Apr 2011). "Severe pediatric rumination syndrome: successful interdisciplinary inpatient management". J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 52 (4): 414–8. doi:10.1097/mpg.0b013e3181fa06f3. PMID 21407115. S2CID 8299506.
- ^ Field T.; Morrow C.; Valdeon C.; Larson S.; Kuhn C.; Schanberg S. (1992). "Massage therapy reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 31: 125–130. doi:10.1097/00004583-199201000-00019. PMID 1537763.
- ^ Field T.; Kilmer T.; Hernandez-Reif M.; Burman I. (1996). "Preschool Children's Sleep and Wake Behavior: Effects of massage therapy". Early Child Development and Care. 120: 39–44. doi:10.1080/0300443961200104.
- ^ Cullen C.; Field T.; Escalona A.; Hartshorn K. (2000). "Father-infants interactions are enhanced by massage therapy". Early Child Development and Care. 164: 41–47. doi:10.1080/0300443001640104. S2CID 145180279.
- ^ a b Miller Laura J (2002). "Postpartum Depression". JAMA. 287 (6): 762–765. doi:10.1001/jama.287.6.762. PMID 11851544.
- ^ Hart S.; Field T.; Hernandez-Reif M.; Lundy B. (1998). "Preschoolers' cognitive performance improves following massage". Early Child Development & Care. 143: 59–64. doi:10.1080/0300443981430105.
- ^ Knapp Miland E (1960). "Physical Medicine in Rehabilitation for Arthritis in Children". JAMA. 174 (15): 1951–1953. doi:10.1001/jama.1960.03030150039010. PMID 13757053.
- ^ Field T.; Lasko D.; Mundy P.; Henteleff T.; Talpins S.; Dowling M. (1986). "Autistic children's attentiveness and responsitivity improved after touch therapy". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 27 (3): 329–334. doi:10.1023/A:1025858600220. PMID 9229263. S2CID 12306795.
- ^ Escalona A.; Field T.; Singer-Strunck R.; Cullen C.; Hartshorn K. (2001). "Brief report: improvements in the behavior of children with autism following massage therapy". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 31 (5): 513–516. doi:10.1023/a:1012273110194. PMID 11794416. S2CID 13400410.
- ^ Hartshorn K.; Olds L.; Field T.; Delage J.; Cullen C.; Escalona A. (2001). "Creative movement therapy benefits children with autism". Early Child and Development and Care. 166: 1–5. doi:10.1080/0300443011660101. S2CID 143486019.
- ^ Hernandez-Reif M.; Field T.; Krasnegor J.; Martinez E. (1999). "Cystic fibrosis symptoms are reduced with massage therapy intervention". Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 24 (2): 183–189. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/24.2.175. PMID 10361400.
- ^ Anbar RD, Murthy VV (Sep 2010). "Reestablishment of hope as an intervention for a patient with cystic fibrosis awaiting lung transplantation". J Altern Complement Med. 16 (9): 1007–10. doi:10.1089/acm.2010.0107. PMID 20799891.
- ^ Field T.; Seligman S.; Scafidi F.; Schanberg S. (1996). "Alleviating posttraumatic stress in children following Hurricane Andrew". Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. 17: 37–50. doi:10.1016/s0193-3973(96)90004-0.
- ^ April KT, Walji R (Feb 2011). "The state of research on complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric rheumatology". Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 37 (1): 85–94. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2010.11.011. PMID 21220088.
- ^ Beider S, Mahrer NE, Gold JI. "Pediatric massage therapy: an overview for clinicians" Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;54(6):1025-41; xii-xiii. Review.