Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2025

82 • Massage Therapy Journal

Diana Thompson moderated the IMTRC 2025 Research Symposium focused on recent AMTA funded research awards, representing massage studies conducted from bench to bedside models. Presenters from Diana’s right: Geoffrey Bove DC, PhD, Tracey Rupp PhD, Jennifer Esala PhD, Cynthia Price PhD, MA, LMT, and Cal Cates LMT.

The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) has supported seven iterations of IMTRC, and the conference has evolved to a triannual meeting and continuing education opportunity for massage therapy clinicians, educators and related stakeholders to connect massage therapy practice and research together, learn about new and developing research within the field, and elevate research literacy and engagement. This past April, IMTRC 2025 celebrated its 20th anniversary, as well as MTF's many impactful contributions to massage therapy research development and infrastructure during this time, including: • Establishing the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork ( IJTMB ) in 2008, which remains the first and only peer reviewed scientific journal solely dedicated to publishing research focused on and directly related to massage therapy. • The over $1 million of research funding awarded since MTF was founded in 1990, as well as the additional nearly $1 million allocated just since 2019 across four AMTA-supported research awards. • MassageNet—the largest massage therapy focused practice-based research network (PBRN). April 2025’s IMTRC Truly Inspires in Multiple, Meaningful Ways IMTRC 2025 was packed with multiple learning opportunities and networking:

• Attendees could earn up to 16 NCBTMB-approved continuing education credits. • Participants heard directly from established, current and upcoming leaders in massage therapy-focused research, and Q&A sessions after each talk provided an opportunity for deeper learning. • Receptions and other networking breaks were perfect opportunities for community building. • Two prominent researchers within the integrative medicine space delivered keynote and plenary session content: 1. Tracy Gaudet, MD , founding Executive Director of the Whole Health Institute and current co-founder of the Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change, and 2. Jeffery Dusek, PhD , Director of Research Outcomes with the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and co-chair for the BraveNet PBRN. • The launch of an MTF-volunteer-led study to examine IMTRC’s impact on attendee attitudes, perceptions and intention to incorporate evidence-based practice. • The first ever in-person convening of MassageNet as a postconference event. Past Leaders Helping Shape the Future Adrienne Asta, MTF Immediate Past President (MTF President 2022–2024), served as the 2025 IMTRC Master of Ceremonies and co-presided over session reflection conversations at the end of each day’s programming with other seminal past MTF presidents.

The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) has supported seven iterations of IMTRC , and the conference has evolved to a triannual meeting and continuing education opportunity for the massage therapy community.

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