Title
Massage Therapy Restores Peripheral Vascular Function following Exertio

Author(s)
Franklin NC1, Ali MM1, Robinson AT1, Norkeviciute E2, Phillips SA3.

Published
Feb, 2014

Published In
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Feb 25. pii: S0003-9993(14)00130-0. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.02.007

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if lower extremity exercise-induced muscle injury (EMI) reduces vascular endothelial function of the upper extremity and if massage therapy (MT) improves peripheral vascular function after EMI. DESIGN: Randomized, blinded trial with evaluations at 90 minutes, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. SETTING: Clinical research center at an academic medical center and laboratory PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six sedentary young adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) EMI + MT (n=15; mean age ? standard error (SE): 26.6?0.3), 2) EMI only (n=10; mean age ? SE: 23.6?0.4), and 3) MT only (n=11; mean age ? SE: 25.5 ? 0.4). INTERVENTION: Participants were assigned to either EMI only (a single bout of bilateral, eccentric leg-press exercise), MT only (30-minute lower extremity massage using Swedish technique), or EMI + MT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was determined by ultrasound at each time point. Nitroglycerin-induced dilation was also assessed (NTG; 0.4 mg). RESULTS: Brachial FMD increased from baseline in the EMI + MT group and the MT only group (7.38?0.18 to 9.02?0.28%, p<0.05 and 7.77?0.25 to 10.20?0.22%, p < 0.05, respectively) at 90 minutes remaining elevated until 72 hrs. In the EMI only group FMD was reduced from baseline at 24 and 48 hrs (7.78?0.14 to 6.75?0.11%, p<0.05 and 6.53?0.11, p<0.05, respectively) returning to baseline after 72 hrs. Dilations to NTG were similar over time. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MT attenuates impairment of upper extremity endothelial function resulting from lower extremity EMI in sedentary young adults.

Further Information   |   Add To My Folder   |   Printable Version