Comparison 2. Massage versus no massage: subgroup analysis.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Anxiety (STAI‐state)	3		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 Children	1	30	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐14.70 [‐19.33, ‐10.07]
1.2 Adults	2	68	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.74 [‐5.99, 4.51]
2 Anxiety (STAI‐state)	3		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Short‐term (≤ 4 weeks)	2	64	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐10.66 [‐14.72, ‐6.60]
2.2 Medium‐term (> 4 weeks to < 8 weeks)	1	34	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.0 [‐9.69, 3.69]