THE EFFECT OF MASSAGE THERAPY ON THE SLEEP QUALITY IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Previous studies indicated that massage relieves pain and fatigue, reduces blood pressure, decreases heart rate, decreases cortisol release and depression, and regulates sleep. Therefore, massage is a method that is frequently used to overcome sleep problems. But previous studies were mostly conducted in various pathological conditions and in infants. The aim of the current study is to determine the impact of the main parameters of the massage on the quality of sleep. Materials and methods: An online self-report questionnaire was administered to clients of four massage therapists with more than 10 years of practice and to first-year students at the National Sports Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria, after practicing back and low back massage under the supervision of their instructor. The questionnaire contains 4 sections collecting personal information and information about massage parameters, sleep quality on non-massage days and sleep quality on the night following massage session. 74 healthy volunteers completed the questionnaire. Results: 74 healthy volunteers completed the questionnaire. We excluded 2 participants younger than 18 years old. Statistical analysis showed a significant improved of quality of sleep based on the studied sleep parameters: time for transition to sleep (with - 6,16 min), sleep duration (with 39 min), need for more sleep (increasing “no” answers from 25 to 46 after massage) and self-reported sleep rate (with 1,42). We also find correlation between massage duration and falling asleep during massage and the time for transition to sleep, sleep duration, and sleep rate with better results for 60- and 90-min massage duration and drifting off during massage. CONCLUSIONS: Massage is a useful non-pharmacological method for improving the quality of sleep the night after especially 60- and 90-min massage duration and drifting off during massage. More studies are needed to evaluate the delayed effects of massage therapy on sleep parameters and quality of sleep as well as to establish the neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms of this effects.