Evaluating the use of gas discharge visualization to measure massage therapy outcomes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the short-term bioenergetic and psychological effects of massage therapy using GDV measurements alongside traditional self-report measures.
Results Summary
Significant improvements were observed in well-being, pain, stress, muscle tension, and GDV parameters post-massage, with GDV measures correlating with pain and stress.
Population
23 healthy adults
Effective Dosage
Single 50-minute full-body relaxation massage
Duration
Single session
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
massage therapy | increase | well-being | 23 healthy adults | - | significant differences were found | #1 |
massage therapy | decrease | pain | 23 healthy adults | - | significant differences were found | #2 |
massage therapy | decrease | stress | 23 healthy adults | - | significant differences were found | #3 |
massage therapy | decrease | muscle tension | 23 healthy adults | - | significant differences were found | #4 |
massage therapy | increase | GDV parameters | 23 healthy adults | - | significant differences were found | #5 |
massage therapy | neutral | pain | 23 healthy adults | - | GDV measure is correlated with | #6 |
massage therapy | neutral | stress | 23 healthy adults | - | GDV measure is correlated with | #7 |
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of massage therapy using gas discharge visualization (GDV), a computerized biophysical electrophoton capture (EPC), in tandem with traditional self-report measures to evaluate the use of GDV measurement to assess the bioenergetic whole-person effects of massage therapy. METHODS: This study used a single treatment group, pre-post-repeated measures design with a sample of 23 healthy adults. This study utilized a single 50-min full-body relaxation massage with participants. GDV measurement method, an EPC, and traditional paper-based measures evaluating pain, stress, muscle tension, and well-being were used to assess intervention outcomes. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between pre- and post-measures of well-being, pain, stress, muscle tension, and GDV parameters. Pearson correlations indicate the GDV measure is correlated with pain and stress, variables that impact the whole person. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that GDV parameters may be used to indicate significant bioenergetic change from pre- to post-massage. Findings warrant further investigation with a larger diverse sample size and control group to further explore GDV as a measure of whole-person bioenergetic effects associated with massage.