Acute effects of traditional Thai massage on electroencephalogram in patients with scapulocostal syndrome.
Study Goal
To investigate the acute effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on brain electrical activity, anxiety, and pain in patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS).
Results Summary
TTM significantly reduced anxiety and pain intensity more than physical therapy (PT) and increased relaxation as shown by EEG changes (increased delta activity, decreased theta, alpha, and beta activity). PT also reduced anxiety and pain but to a lesser extent.
Population
Patients diagnosed with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS).
Effective Dosage
30-minute session.
Duration
Single 30-minute session.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | anxiety | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significant decreases | #1 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significant decreases | #2 |
physical therapy (PT) using ultrasound therapy and hot packs | decrease | anxiety | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significant decreases | #3 |
physical therapy (PT) using ultrasound therapy and hot packs | decrease | pain intensity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significant decreases | #4 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | anxiety | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significantly greater reduction | #5 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significantly greater reduction | #6 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | delta activity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | significant increase | #7 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | theta activity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | decrease | #8 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | alpha activity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | decrease | #9 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | beta activity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | decrease | #10 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | increase | relaxation | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | increase | #11 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | anxiety | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | decrease | #12 |
traditional Thai massage (TTM) | decrease | pain intensity | patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) | - | decrease | #13 |
OBJECTIVE: To investigate acute effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on brain electrical activity (electroencephalogram (EEG) signals), anxiety and pain in patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS). DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: The School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. INTERVENTION: Forty patients, who were diagnosed with SCS, were randomly allocated to receive a 30-min session of either TTM or physical therapy (PT) using ultrasound therapy and hot packs. OUTCOMES: Electroencephalogram (EEG), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and pain intensity rating. RESULTS: Results showed that both TTM and PT were associated with significant decreases in anxiety and pain intensity (p<0.01). However, there was a significantly greater reduction in anxiety and pain intensity for the TTM group when compared with the PT group. Analysis of EEG in the TTM group showed a significant increase in relaxation, manifested as an increase in delta activity (p<0.05) and a decrease in theta, alpha and beta activity (p<0.01). Similar changes were not found in the PT group. The EEG measures were also significantly different when compared between the groups (p<0.01), except for delta activity (p=0.051), indicating lower states of arousal with the TTM treatment. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that TTM provides acute neural effects that increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and pain intensity in patients with SCS.