Does massage therapy reduce cortisol? A comprehensive quantitative review
CA Moyer, L Seefeldt, ES Mann, LM Jackley - Journal of bodywork and …, 2011 - Elsevier
OBJECTIVES: It is frequently asserted that massage therapy (MT) reduces cortisol levels,
and that this mechanism is the cause of MT benefits including relief from anxiety,
depression, and pain, but reviews of MT research are not in agreement on the existence or
magnitude of such a cortisol reduction effect, or the likelihood that it plays such a causative
role. A definitive quantitative review of MT's effect on cortisol would be of value to MT
research and practice. METHODS: After first performing a comprehensive literature search …
and that this mechanism is the cause of MT benefits including relief from anxiety,
depression, and pain, but reviews of MT research are not in agreement on the existence or
magnitude of such a cortisol reduction effect, or the likelihood that it plays such a causative
role. A definitive quantitative review of MT's effect on cortisol would be of value to MT
research and practice. METHODS: After first performing a comprehensive literature search …