Table 3.

Summary of findings for studies on massage therapy (MT) for neck and shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome

Study and type of pain	n	Pain duration	Comparison conditions	Outcomes	Findings (Mean reduction in pain)
Irnich et al. (2001) (28)				VAS pain intensity (0–100)	AC (17.3) > MT (3.1); AC = SLA (11.4)
Neck pain	177	21.5–22.6% > 5 years	Acupuncture (AC);	3 month F/U	AC (15.0) = MT (8.1); AC = SLA (11.2)
			Sham laser	Range of Motion (ROM)	AC > MT; AC = SLA
			acupuncture (SLA)	3 month F/U	AC = MT; AC = SLA
				Pressure pain threshold (algometer)	AC = MT; AC = SLA
				3 month F/U	AC = MT; AC = SLA
				Spontaneous pain (7 point scale)	AC = MT; AC = SLA
				3 month F/U	AC > MT; AC = SLA
				Motion-related pain (7-point scale)	AC > MT; AC > SLA
				3 month F/U	AC > MT; AC = SLA
				Global complaints (7-point scale)	AC > MT; AC > SLA
				3 month F/U	AC > MT; AC = SLA
				Health-related quality of life (SF-36)	AC = MT; AC = SLA
				3 month F/U	AC = MT; AC = SLA
Dyson-Hudson et al. (2001) (24)
Shoulder pain	18	Mean range = 13.4–16.2 years	AC	Wheelchair user's shoulder pain index	AC (23.3) = MT (21.7)
				ROM	AC = MT
Mok and Woo (2004) (25)
Shoulder pain	102	Not stated	No treatment control (CON)	VAS pain intensity (unspecified scale)	MT (14.6) > CON (0.2)
				State anxiety (STAI)	MT > CON
				Heart rate	MT > CON
				Systolic blood pressure	MT > CON
				Disastolic blood pressure	MT > CON
van den Dolder (2003) (27)
Shoulder pain	29	Mean range = 26–30 weeks	CON	McGill Pain Questionnaire
				VAS pain intensity (0–10)	MT (26.6) > CON (0.1)
				Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scale	MT = CON
				Verbal descriptors	MT > CON
				Functional Disability	MT > CON
				ROM	MT > CON
Field (2004) (32)
Carpal Tunnel	16	Mean = 6.7 years	CON	VAS pain intensity (0–10)	MT (3.2) > CON (.08)
Syndrome				Grip Strength	MT > CON
				State anxiety (STAI)	MT > CON
				Profile of Mood States — Depression	MT > CON
				Physician assessed CTS symptoms	MT > CON