MTF Research Grant Studies MT for Cancer Care Side Effects

Posted:Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Massage Therapy Foundation Announces Research Grant Award

(Evanston, Ill., February 21, 2023) The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) has awarded $187,012 for a research grant to Bove Consulting, Kennebunkport, Maine. Dr. Geoffrey Bove is the Primary Investigator of the two-year study, “Massage Therapy as a Preventative for Post-Irradiation Fibrosis and Neuropathy.”

Life-extending radiation therapy for cancer can have severe and undesirable effects, including radiating pain and paresthesia, motor limitations, and altered function. Early effects include muscle and vascular damage, such as radiation-induced fibrosis of muscles, nerves, and vessels. Currently, there is no effective preventive/treatment strategy for radiation morbidities. This foundational study explores whether typical manual therapy treatment (massage and mobilization) prevent the fibrosis and thus the pathologies and pathophysiologies caused by radiation. Using an animal model, this will provide evidence that massage therapy is promising in reducing the potential damages caused by radiation therapy.

“This study promises to provide insight into the mechanistic benefits of massage therapy post-cancer irradiation. We are thrilled with  the opportunity to advance research and the evidence-informed practice of therapeutic massage in line with the goals of our Research Agenda,” said Adrienne F. Asta, President, Massage Therapy Foundation.

The study is funded with generous financial support from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). “This is a significant example of AMTA’s leadership in supporting MTF in its mission of advancing foundational, evidence-informed massage therapy practice,” said Michaele M. Colizza, President, AMTA. “This study further expands the growing body of data on massage therapy efficacy for cancer patients receiving radiation treatment.”

Check out the video below to learn more about this grant:

About the Massage Therapy Foundation

The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity supporting scientific research, education, and community service for the massage therapy profession. The Foundation founded and publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides many educational resources for massage therapists, educators, and students. MTF is an independent organization that promotes international scientific and technical collaboration through grants, resources, training, and services.

For more information contact;
Gini Ohlson, Executive Director, 847.905.1520
gohlson@massagetherapyfoundation.org or

Marla Gamze, Communications and Development Manager, 847.905.1635 mgamze@massagetherapyfoundation.org