Regular massage eased anxiety and low mood.
Researchers pooled 37 randomized studies of hands-on massage.
Pooled across 37 trials, a single massage session lowered heart rate and blood pressure. Over a course of sessions, massage eased ongoing anxiety, low mood and pain, with the largest effects on anxiety and low mood.
| Measure | When | Size of effect (0 = none) | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower heart rate | After one session | 0.41 | 6 |
| Lower blood pressure | After one session | 0.25 | 5 |
| Less ongoing anxiety | After a course | 0.75 | 7 |
| Less low mood | After a course | 0.62 | 10 |
| Less pain | After a course | 0.31 | 5 |
