Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/841282
Several research studies have attempted to gauge the benefits of massage and other complementary therapies on the quality of life for HIV and AIDS patients. Following are a few of the most cited. F. Scafidi and T. Field, "Massage Therapy Improves Behavior in Neonates Born to HIV-Positive Mothers," Journal of Pediatric Psychology 21 (1996): 889–97. Researchers found that babies who were born to HIV-positive mothers and who received massage gained significant weight compared to those who did not. Experts say the results of this research are perhaps not surprising given that they have been noted in previous studies, including Tiffany Field's groundbreaking research on massage in 1986. G. Ironson et al., "Massage Therapy is Associated with Enhancement of the Immune System's Cytotoxic Capacity," International Journal of Neuroscience 84 (1996): 205–18. In a study of 29 men (20 HIV positive and 9 HIV negative) who received one month of 45-minute massages, Monday through Friday, results showed a decrease in anxiety and cortisol levels, and an increase in natural killer cells (NK, cytotoxic lymphocyte that fights opportunistic diseases to which the HIV-positive person becomes susceptible); CD8 cells suggested an increase in cytotoxic capacity. digital extra R E A D M O R E A B O U T M A S S A G E A N D H I V / A I D S S T A R T I N G O N P A G E 5 2 . G. Shor-Posner et al., "Massage Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Dominican Children: A Preliminary Report on the Efficacy of Massage Therapy to Preserve the Immune System in Children Without Antiretroviral Medication," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 10, no. 6 (December 2004): 1094. In a randomized trial of 24 HIV-positive children, aged 2–8 years, massage subjects received 20 minutes of twice-weekly treatment for 12 weeks. Researchers found that depending on age, the children had improved immune function, an increase in CD4 cells, and an increase in natural killer cells. S. L. Hillier, "Massage Therapy for People with HIV/AIDS," Cochrane Database System Review (January 20, 2010): doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007502.pub2. Researchers found "there is some evidence to support the use of massage therapy to improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in combination with other stress- management modalities, and that massage therapy may have a positive effect on immunological function." R. E. Poland et al., "Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel- Group Controlled Clinical Trial of Massage for Treatment of Depression in HIV-Infected Subjects," Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 19, no. 4 (April 2013): 334–40. This study found that massage can significantly reduce symptoms of depression in subjects with HIV beginning at the fourth week of treatment. Karrie Osborn is senior editor at ABMP. Research on Massage and HIV/AIDS By Karrie Osborn