2024 MTF Research Award: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Posted:Wednesday, March 20, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Massage Therapy Foundation Awards $300,000 Research Grant

to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

(Evanston, Ill., March 20, 2024) The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announces the award of a $300,000 research grant to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in Philadelphia, PA. The grant will support a three-year study entitled “Massage Impact on Sleep in Hospitalization for Pediatric Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Patients,” led by Primary Investigator Dr. Tracey Jubelirer.

The study, conducted at CHOP and the Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C., aims to explore the effectiveness of massage as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for hospitalized pediatric oncology patients. Patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplants often experience anxiety, pain, disturbed sleep, and excess fatigue, which significantly impact their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Through routine massage therapy, the research team intends to demonstrate improvements in both the duration and quality of sleep for these patients.

“Inpatient pediatric patients undergoing intensive treatments can experience up to 40 sleep interruptions, exacerbating their already challenging circumstances. By integrating routine massage therapy into their care, we aim to alleviate sleep disturbances and enhance their overall well-being,” said Dr.Tracey Jubelirer, pediatric hematologist/ oncologist.

“Research initiatives, such as this, exemplify the Massage Therapy Foundation’s unwavering dedication to fostering scientific inquiry and advancing evidence-based practices. We endorse this pivotal study, recognizing its capacity to enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing medical treatments as well as practitioner expertise and standards, particularly within the specialized realm of oncology care,” said Adrienne F. Asta, MTF president.

Funds for this groundbreaking research project were provided by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), in alignment with their shared mission with MTF to advance the art, science, and practice of massage therapy.

“AMTA is dedicated to supporting innovative and rigorous research that strengthens the scientific foundation for the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy. We are pleased to collaborate with the Massage Therapy Foundation on this project and anticipate its contributions to advancing our understanding in this field,” said Kim Kane-Santos, AMTA National president.

About the Massage Therapy Foundation

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

About the American Massage Therapy Association

The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students, and massage schools. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists, and public education on the benefits of massage.

For more information about this grant and the groundbreaking research, please contact:
Gini Ohlson, Executive Director, 847.905.1520 gohlson@massagetherapyfoundation.org