Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We transformed outcomes to standardise the direction of the effect a smaller score is better. We included 33 studies participants analysed.
We report the main results for the comparison of massage versus placebo. Data on patient satisfaction and serious adverse events were not available.
Pain was a mean of Selection, performance and detection bias were evident as multiple trials had unclear allocation concealment, utilised a placebo that may not be credible and did not test whether blinding was effective, respectively. We downgraded the evidence once for imprecision a single small study and risk of performance and detection bias. We are uncertain whether massage results in increased total adverse events, such as treatment soreness, sweating or low blood pressure RR 0.
Inadequate reporting on adverse events precluded analysis. Possible side effects may include treatment soreness. It may lead to headaches stemming from the neck, referral of pain into the upper back and arms, and signs of weakness or numbness in the arms.
It can be affected by bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves, and be influenced by social, psychological and personal factors. Massage therapy involves the movement of the soft tissues of the body through manual touch to reduce pain and muscle tension, and promote relaxation.
