Tactile Massage and ADHD: A Holistic Approach to Managing Symptoms

Nov 24

Sunday, November 24, 2024. My new affiliation with ADVOCATES Community Mental Health in Plymouth will have me thinking about research through a community mental health lens. I hope that’s an improvement for this blog.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 5% of children and adolescents worldwide, presenting challenges in focus, hyperactivity, and impulse control.

Traditional treatments, such as medications and behavioral therapies, can be effective, but they are not without limitations. Families often seek non-pharmacological approaches, either due to side effects or incomplete symptom relief from standard therapies.

A recent study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice explores the potential of tactile massage as a gentle, non-invasive intervention for adolescents with ADHD, offering promising results in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Let’s discuss these findings, and the broader implications of tactile massage. We will also touch on how community mental health programs might apply research to adopt integrative, patient-centered approaches to ADHD care.

What is ADHD and Why Look for Complementary Treatments?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with attention, impulse regulation, and hyperactivity.

These symptoms can interfere with academic performance, relationships, and overall well-being.

While medications such as stimulants and non-stimulants are often prescribed, they are not universally effective. Side effects like sleep disturbances, appetite loss, or mood changes may lead families to explore alternative treatments.

Non-pharmacological interventions such as behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and now tactile massage, aim to provide additional tools for managing ADHD symptoms without altering personality or introducing unwanted side effects. Tactile massage, in particular, stands out for its calming, stress-reducing properties, making it a natural candidate for ADHD care.

The Study: Tactile Massage for Adolescents with ADHD

A research team led by Anna-Carin Robertz, a PhD student and specialist nurse in child psychiatry, sought to examine whether tactile massage could alleviate ADHD symptoms.

The study involved 14 adolescents aged 15 to 17 years who underwent ten weekly sessions of massage therapy. The structured sessions featured slow, rhythmic strokes on areas like the back, arms, hands, and feet, conducted in a calming environment with dim lighting and soft music.

Key Findings

Reductions in Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
By the sixth session, participants reported noticeable decreases in hyperactivity and impulsivity. By the end of the ten-week intervention, none of the participants met the clinical threshold for hyperactivity.
Improved Attention
Focus and attention also improved during the intervention period. While some participants experienced slight rebounds in inattentiveness after the program ended, their scores remained significantly better than at baseline.
Better Sleep
Adolescents reported falling asleep more easily during the intervention, and these improvements persisted three months after the sessions ended. Sleep disturbances, a common challenge for those with ADHD, were notably reduced.
Reduced Oppositional Behaviors
Parents observed fewer behaviors associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), a condition that often co-occurs with ADHD. By the end of the study, several participants no longer met the diagnostic criteria for ODD.
High Engagement and Compliance
Despite initial concerns about sensory sensitivities, most participants completed all sessions, demonstrating excellent engagement and tolerance of the tactile nature of the therapy.

How Tactile Massage Works

Tactile massage promotes relaxation by regulating the nervous system. It uses gentle, repetitive touch to reduce stress, calm hyperactivity, and improve emotional well-being. For folks with ADHD, whose brains are often in overdrive, tactile massage offers a soothing counterbalance, creating space for focus and calmness.

Massage also enhances physical connection and emotional support, fostering a sense of security that can be particularly beneficial for adolescents navigating the challenges of ADHD.

Limitations and Future Directions

While the study’s results are promising, it had limitations, including a small sample size and the absence of a control group. Fairly good reasons to be skeptical and wait for better, more conclusive research.

Future research should involve larger, randomized controlled trials to validate findings and explore the long-term effects of tactile massage. Additionally, studies could investigate whether shorter or less frequent sessions might achieve similar results.

The Possible Role of Community Mental Health Programs

Community mental health centers are uniquely positioned to bring complementary treatments like tactile massage to a wider audience. Here’s how these programs could leverage this promising intervention:

1. Integrating Tactile Massage into Care Plans

Train Licensed Therapists: Partner with professional organizations to train massage therapists in ADHD-specific tactile techniques.
Pilot Programs: Test tactile massage programs in community settings to assess feasibility and outcomes.
Low-Cost Services: Offer subsidized or sliding-scale tactile massage sessions to ensure accessibility for families of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

2. Holistic ADHD Support

Community programs can address ADHD’s broader challenges by combining tactile massage with other therapies, such as:

Mindfulness Practices: Teach adolescents relaxation techniques to complement massage sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Use CBT to help adolescents understand and manage their ADHD symptoms.
Physical Activity Programs: Incorporate exercise-based therapies to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity.

3. School Partnerships

Schools are critical stakeholders in ADHD management. Community mental health centers could:

Provide On-Site Services: Partner with schools to offer tactile massage as part of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Educate Teachers: Train educators to recognize ADHD-related challenges and refer families to community resources.

4. Parent and Caregiver Education

Parents play a pivotal role in supporting ADHD interventions. Community clinics could:

Host Workshops: Teach parents how to apply basic massage techniques at home.
Offer Support Groups: Create spaces where parents can share experiences and learn from one another.

5. Advocating for Policy Changes

Community programs can advocate for policy changes to make tactile massage more accessible:

Insurance Coverage: Work with insurers to include tactile massage as a reimbursable ADHD treatment.
Grant Funding: Seek funding to expand massage programs and evaluate their impact.

A Possible, Low-cost, non-drug based holistic path to ADHD Care

Tactile massage might offer a safe, non-invasive way to manage ADHD symptoms, particularly for adolescents, if future studies confirm and refine these findings.

By improving focus, reducing hyperactivity, and enhancing sleep, tactile massage might address core challenges while complementing traditional therapies.

Community mental health programs might play a transformative role by integrating tactile massage into their offerings, providing families with a holistic, accessible approach to care, if research confirms these preliminary findings.

As ADHD research continues to evolve, tactile massage might represent a promising step forward—one that prioritizes empathy, connection, and well-being for folks and families navigating the complexities of ADHD.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Robertz, A. C., Törnhage, C. J., Nilsson, S., Nyman, V., & Kantzer, A. K. (2023). Positive effects of tactile massage for adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – A small-scale study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Daniel Dashnaw