Massage

Massage is used by some people with multiple sclerosis for the relief of constipation, pain and musculoskeletal symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It can be relaxing and may help general well-being. Massage is often used in combination with aromatherapy.

In a research study of massage and MS, 24 people were randomly assigned to either a 45 minute massage twice weekly for five weeks or to no treatment. The massage group had significantly lower anxiety and a less depressed mood by the end of the study and had significantly improved in self-esteem, body image and image of disease progression. No conclusions however, were drawn about physical symptoms.

In study in 2014, 15 people with MS were split into two groups, one of which received weekly one hour therapeutic massage sessions. Self-efficacy, defined as the perception/belief that one can competently cope with a challenging situation, was assessed before and after treatment. It was found that those who received massage had increased self-efficacy at the end of four weeks of treatment and this was maintained four weeks after the treatment had ended. However, there was no difference eight weeks after treatment ended, suggesting that massage needs to be continued to maintain the effect. The researchers suggest that better self-efficacy could lead to improved psychological well-being and feeling better able to live with MS.

The AMBER study looked at whether abdominal massage and bowel care advice was more effective than bowel care advice alone in treating bowel problems in people with MS. People were treated for six weeks, and reported greater ease, less pain and more frequency in passing stools. A couple of participants reported additional benefits: improved appetite, feeling less bloated, decreased sluggishness and improved energy levels. Some were also able to stop taking laxatives.

Some participants felt the massage was not enough on its own and needed to be used in conjunction with laxatives or other forms of treatment, but 90% of the participants were still using abdominal massage themselves after the end of the study.