Effects of massage therapy on anxiety, depression, hyperventilation and quality of life in HIV infected patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to measure the effect of massage therapy on anxiety, depression, hyperventilation, and quality of life in HIV-infected patients.
Results Summary
The study found significant improvements in anxiety (HADS-A) and hyperventilation (Nijmegen questionnaire) after four weeks of massage therapy, but no significant benefits were observed for depression or overall quality of life, except for the "Pain and discomfort" facet.
Population
Adult HIV-infected patients (n=29).
Effective Dosage
One hour per week for four weeks.
Duration
Four weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
massage therapy | decrease | Nijmegen questionnaire | HIV infected patients | p=0.01 | significant improvement | #1 |
massage therapy | decrease | HADS-A | HIV infected patients | p=0.04 | significant improvement | #2 |
massage therapy | no change | WHOQOL-HIV | HIV infected patients | - | did not improve | #3 |
massage therapy | no change | HADS-D | HIV infected patients | - | did not improve | #4 |
massage therapy | increase | Pain and discomfort facet | HIV infected patients | p=0.04 | improved | #5 |
INTRODUCTION: HIV infection is often preceded or accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities. These disorders improve with complementary therapies. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of massage therapy on anxiety, depression, hyperventilation and quality of life in HIV infected patients. METHOD: Adult HIV-infected patients were randomized (n=29) in massage therapy group (one hour a week during four weeks) and control group. Anxiety and depression (HADS-A and HADS-D), hyperventilation (Nijmegen questionnaire) and quality of life (WHOQOL-HIV) were evaluated at inclusion and after 4 weeks. RESULTS: At inclusion, 51% and 17% of the patients had a positive HADS-A and HADS-D score respectively. Two facets from WHOQOL-HIV ("Home environment" and "Death and dying" (p=0.04)) were different between groups. After the four week massage therapy, a significant improvement was observed only for Nijmegen questionnaire (p=0.01) and HADS-A (p=0.04) contrarily to WHOQOL-HIV and HADS-D. Domains of the WHOQOL-HIV did not improve following the massage therapy. Only "Pain and discomfort" facet improved after massage therapy (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the positive impact of a four week massage therapy on anxiety and hyperventilation in HIV infected patients. However, neither benefit of this program was observed on depression and quality of life.