How Massage Therapists can Contribute to Research

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massage therapy research

Moving the Profession Forward

The goal of evidence based massage is to achieve the best outcomes for patients in a cost-effective manner, this provides the profession with an opportunity for unprecedented growth.

One of the best ways to facilitate this growth is by connecting with like-minded peers through social media, here therapists can work together to critically evaluate the contents of a research paper, teasing out the clinically relevant points. Whether you are new to the professional or have over 20 years of experience, there is someone out there that will benefit from your knowledge. Another way to move the profession forward is by putting together a case study in a peer reviewed journal.

Standard research practices often does not always accurately reflect the reality of clinical practice where there are a number of inherent variables and nuances. This is why it is important that we as a clinician add to 'the scholarly conversation' by reporting what we do in the treatment room.

This may be accomplished through:

Case reports - a classic reporting mechanism employed when a practitioner realizes they have an interesting or unusual case in their care, or they realize that the care chosen might provide insight into work with similar patients.

Case series - used when documenting the similarities and differences between several case reports from your clinical care.

Case studies - a specific qualitative research design involving a specific research question, protocol, qualitative analysis plan, and research ethics committee (RECs) review. Formally, a case study is a focused exploration of the “case’s” situation, which will be comprised of an individual, a group of individuals, or other defined sampling frame (e.g., an office, a position, or an institution).

If you or someone you know is interested in writing case studies for peer reviewed journals, I have listed a number of introductory resources.

More to Explore

Case Study Resources
• International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork- Author guidelines.

• The Massage Therapy Research Fund (Canada)

• Massage Therapy Foundation - Grants (United States)

• Baskwill, A. (2013). Facilitating Case Studies in Massage Therapy Clinical Education. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Munk, N. (2013). Case Reports: A Meaningful Way for Massage Practice to Inform Research and Education. International
Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Porcino, A., & Moraska, A. (2015). Avoiding Common Writing Mistakes That Make Your Editors and Reviewers Cringe. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Porcino, A. (2016). Not Birds of a Feather: Case Reports, Case Studies, and Single-Subject Research. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

Examples of Case Studies/Reports
• Allen, L. (2016). Case Study: The Use of Massage Therapy to Relieve Chronic Low-Back Pain. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Burns, S. (2015). Concussion Treatment Using Massage Techniques: A Case Study. International Journal of Therapeutic
Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Casciaro, Y. (2016). Massage Therapy Treatment and Outcomes for a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Lewis, P.A., & Cunningham, J.E. (2016). Dynamic Angular Petrissage as Treatment for Axillary Web Syndrome Occurring after Surgery for Breast Cancer: A Case Report. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Resnick, P.B. (2016). Comparing the Effects of Rest and Massage on Return to Homeostasis Following Submaximal Aerobic Exercise: a Case Study. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice. (OPEN ACCESS)

• Wong, Y., Smith, R., & Koppenhaver, S. (2015). Soft Tissue Mobilization to Resolve Chronic Pain and Dysfunction Associated With Post-Operative Abdominal and Pelvic Adhesions: A Case Report. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.

Related Links
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