On-Site Massage Therapy: Advantages For Anxiety Reduction At the Work Place

Anthony Kwee

Date of Graduation

Spring 1999

Degree

Master of Science in Health Promotion and Wellness Management

Department

Public Health and Sports Medicine

Committee Chair

Rhonda Ridinger

Abstract

Stress levels can build up at the workplace. This study explored the benefits of three break activities at the workplace, and a fifteen-minute on-site massage therapy, a fifteen minute progressive muscle relaxation, and a normal fifteen-minute office break. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured pre and post treatment and for the baseline reading for physiological measures. The Profile of Mood States Survey (POMS) was administered for a baseline reading and post treatment session for psychological measures. It was found that all three treatments were effective in reduction of anxiety levels (p= 0.0001). There were no significant differences among treatments for the heart rate and systolic blood pressure readings (p> 0.05). Although, there was a significant difference for the diastolic blood pressure when comparing the pre and post treatment readings of the relaxation tape therapy (p< 0.050. Vigor was found to improve after the message therapy treatment (p= 0.0082). Thus, it was concluded that all three methods are effective, with an excellent form of break activity for enhancement of increased vigor.

Subject Categories

Health and Medical Administration

Copyright

© Anthony Kwee

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

Share

COinS