MTF Ergo Project: Phase Two Starting Soon

Posted:Wednesday, July 26, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Massage Therapy Foundation Announces Research Grant Award

(Evanston, Ill., July 26, 2023) The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) has awarded $30,000 for a self-funded research grant. MTF Board of Trustees member, Dr. Portia Resnick, is the Primary Investigator of the study, “MTF Ergonomics Project: Phase Two.”

MTF’s Ergonomics Project conducts data collection about the work of massage therapy professionals to create a structured job task analysis. MTF’s goal is to use this information to provide safety parameters for massage therapy work which may include identifying risk factors, examining practice environments, and analyzing the essence of how typical massage therapy work tasks are performed.

Phase One of the Project, completed in late 2020, examined physical demands on the therapists and environmental contexts, such as room size. Data from Phase One was published in the free MTF Ergonomics Project: Phase One Report eBook, and presented at the 2022 MTF International Massage Therapy Research Conference (IMTRC) in Alexandria, Va.

Phase Two, beginning summer 2023, employs the use of wearable sensor technology measuring force output. Study participants are being recruited from MassageNet Practice-Based Research Network, a collaborative of therapists and researchers coming together to collect real-world data.

“MTF is proud to support the continuation of our Ergonomics Project, which can help guide best practices to support the health and career longevity of MT professionals, improving workplace safety and efficiency,” said Adrienne F. Asta, President, Massage Therapy Foundation.

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