Current MTF Research Projects
Learn more about currently ongoing MTF-funded research projects
Prenatal Massage: A Complementary Approach for Maternal Health and Mental Health
2026 Research Grant: $300,000
Galena Rhoades, PhD
University of Denver, Denver, CO
The study will be conducted through a partnership between the University of Denver and Thriving Families, a Denver-based nonprofit organization serving perinatal women and birthing people from under-resourced and minority backgrounds. The project will evaluate the impact of incorporating prenatal massage into MotherWise, an evidence‑based, trauma‑informed, and culturally responsive maternal wellness program. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive the standard MotherWise program, while the second will receive the same program along with six 20‑minute prenatal massage sessions provided by licensed massage therapists specially trained in prenatal care. Outcomes will be compared to determine whether massage therapy provides additional benefits to the program.
Specifically, investigators aim to (1) assess potential benefits including decreasing rates of postpartum depression (primary outcome) and improving scores for anxiety, pain, sleep, stress, preterm birth, and infant birth weight, and (2) examine the implementation of prenatal massage to inform recommendations for scalability to other similar community-based contexts. For Aim 2, qualitative data from focus groups and interviews as well as quantitative data from validated measures will assess implementation processes (e.g., barriers and facilitators) and outcomes (e.g., feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and adoption).
Click here to read the press release
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:
For additional information please contact:
Annie LaCroix, MS, LMT, Associate Director – Operations
alacroix@massagetherapyfoundation.org