Franklin NC1, Ali MM1, Robinson AT1, Norkeviciute E2, Phillips SA3. (Feb, 2014). Massage Therapy Restores Peripheral Vascular Function following Exertio 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.