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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2010 Dec;25(8):680–686. doi: 10.1177/1533317510386215

Physical and Psychological Effects of 6-Week Tactile Massage on Elderly Patients With Severe Dementia

Mizue Suzuki 1, Asami Tatsumi 2, Toshiko Otsuka 3, Keiko Kikuchi 4, Akiko Mizuta 5, Kimiko Makino 6, Akie Kimoto 7, Kiyoe Fujiwara 8, Toshihiko Abe 9, Toshihiro Nakagomi 10, Tatsuya Hayashi 11, Takayuki Saruhara 12
PMCID: PMC10845700  PMID: 21131675

Abstract

Tactile massage is a soft massage that improves physical relaxation and psychological well-being. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a 6-week tactile massage on changes in physical and mental function, symptoms of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among elderly patients with dementia. In addition, chromogranin A (CgA) levels as an index of stress examined the effects of tactile massage intervention. A tactile massage group consisting of elderly patients with dementia received tactile massage therapy a total of 30 times each for about 20 minutes between 16:00 and 17:00 hours. In the control group, the mean scores for ‘‘intellectual’’ and ‘‘emotional function’’ score decreased significantly after 6 weeks (P < .05); however, no change was observed in the tactile massage group. Both the ‘‘aggressiveness’’ score (P < .05) and CgA levels decreased significantly after 6 weeks in the tactile massage group. These results suggest that tactile massage reduces aggressiveness and stress level in patients with dementia.

Keywords: tactile massage, severe dementia, physical and psychological effects, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

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Contributor Information

Mizue Suzuki, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, m∼suzuki@hama-med.ac.jp .

Asami Tatsumi, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Toshiko Otsuka, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Keiko Kikuchi, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Akiko Mizuta, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Kimiko Makino, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Akie Kimoto, Japan Sweden Care Institute, Tokyo, Japan.

Kiyoe Fujiwara, Wakeikai Memorial Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Toshihiko Abe, Wakeikai Memorial Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Toshihiro Nakagomi, Japan Sweden Care Institute, Tokyo, Japan.

Tatsuya Hayashi, Mie Prefectural College of Nursing, Tsu, Mie, Japan.

Takayuki Saruhara, Wakeikai Memorial Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.

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