Current MTF Research Projects
Learn more about currently ongoing MTF-funded research projects
Measuring the Effects of Massage Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer During Infusion Treatments: A Feasibility Study,
2025 Research Support Award: $30,000
Jill Cole MA, LMT, BCTMB
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
This study aims to establish feasibility of both providing massage therapy and studying its effectiveness for treatment of pain and anxiety in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy infusion. Qualitative assessment will be conducted in the following areas: recruitment, randomization protocol, blinding of assessor, intervention timing, and data collection. Feasibility of utilizing Von Frey filaments as a quantitative pain measurement tool in massage research will be assessed.
Click here to read the press release
Myofascial Release Therapy in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
2025 Research Award: $299,465
Maria Mascarenhas, MBBS and Alain J. Benitez, MD, MSTR
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in Philadelphia, PA
This grant was funded by a gift from AMTA
The study aims to evaluate the impact of abdominal myofascial release (MFR)—a gentle, manual therapy—on symptom relief, quality of life, and bowel function in adolescents with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). This randomized controlled study pairs MFR with a novel, non-invasive Wireless Patch System to objectively measure gastrointestinal activity. By integrating patient-reported outcomes with real-time physiological data, the study aims to uncover both therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanisms of MFR. Findings could pave the way for safer, developmentally appropriate treatments for pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and establish new standards for non-invasive motility assessment.
Click here to read the press release
Massage Impact on Sleep in Hospitalization for Pediatric Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Patients
2024 Research Award: $300,000
Tracey Jubelirer, PhD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in Philadelphia, PA
This grant was funded by a gift from AMTA
This three-year 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.
Click here to read the press release
Trauma-Informed and Culturally-Responsive Integrated Massage Therapy (TCI-Massage)
2023 Research Award: $300,000
Jennifer Esala, PhD
Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), St. Paul, Minn.
This grant was funded by a gift from AMTA
CVT has identified a pressing need for effective interventions utilizing trauma-informed approaches to massage therapy for adult torture and war-surviving victims through its extensive work. Alarmingly, there is a significant gap in the research literature regarding culturally-responsive approaches to massage therapy and strategies for integrating language services. This knowledge void is particularly concerning as more than 1.3 million people in the United States alone identify as survivors of torture related to war, incarceration, policing, refugee or asylum-seeking experiences, or domestic brutality. Additionally, millions worldwide need similar support.
“This study has the potential to affect life-changing results for populations in a state of extreme vulnerability, furthering cultural understanding, communication, and appropriate care for those who have experienced trauma and abuse,” said Adrienne F. Asta, President of Massage Therapy Foundation.
Click here to read the press release
Read an article about this study on the CVT site
Learn more about this study from the short video below:
Ergonomics Project: Phase Two
2023 MTF Project: $30,000
Portia B. Resnick, PhD, ATC, BCTMB
Massage Therapy Foundation, Evanston, Ill.
Phase Two begins summer 2023, and employs the use of wearable sensor technology measuring force output and practitioner surveys. Study participants are being recruited from MassageNet Practice-Based Research Network, a collaborative of therapists and researchers coming together to collect real-world data.
Phase 2 seeks to identify key factors inherent in individual practitioner participants and their work practices to better understand the significance/role those factors play in the development of work-related fatigue.
Objective and subjective data will be collected from massage therapists working in community-based massage therapy settings. Data collection will leverage wearable sensor technology and practitioner surveys.
Participants in the study will wear the sensors for seven days during which they will see their normal client/patient load. Sensors will be positioned to not interfere with the massage therapy treatment and treatment protocols will be expected to follow the massage therapist’s clinical rationale for that session. Following each massage session, the massage therapist will fill out a brief questionnaire about the session and the client. Following the seven days of data collection, sensors will be cleaned and returned. Participants will receive access to their data dashboard to learn more about themselves. Aggregate data from the study will be used by the MTF to assist in developing best practices. The MTF hopes to be a leader in the promotion of practitioner career longevity and sustainability.
For additional information please contact:
Annie LaCroix, MS, LMT, Associate Director – Operations
alacroix@massagetherapyfoundation.org