Clinical Study: Massage therapy and relaxation effects on University dance students.
Research:
Thirty female university dancers were randomly assigned to a massage therapy or relaxation therapy group. The therapies consisted of 30-minute sessions twice per week for five weeks.
Results:
Both groups reported a less depressed mood and lower anxiety levels. However, cortisol decreased only for the massage therapy group. Both groups reported less neck, shoulder, and back pains after the treatment sessions and reduced back pain throughout the study.