Massage Therapy Journal Winter 2024

30 • Massage Therapy Journal

I n 2020, over 55 million people were living with dementia worldwide, and, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, this number is set to increase to 78 million people in 2030 and 139 million by 2050— roughly one new case of dementia every 3.2 seconds.

Massage therapy has shown promise in helping manage some of the signs and symptoms associated with dementia. “Massage therapy can improve feelings of security if the client enjoys the caring touch and responds with trust to the therapist,” says Katie Brewer, LMT. “They may not remember the therapist by name or face, but they will remember how the therapist made them feel.” A 2020 review 1 of sensory-based interventions for adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease included 47 articles from nine databases searched from 2002 to 2017. Some of the sensory based interventions investigated—in addition to massage—were light gardening, music, Montessori, animal-assisted therapy, dance and yoga interventions. Massage therapy was the only intervention with strong evidence supporting its benefits. “Some families of people with dementia will seek massage therapy for their loved ones for relaxation, whereas others come for relief from pain,” says Sheila Alexander, a massage educator and owner of Senior Spa. Regardless of the specifics as to why they are seeking out massage, individuals with dementia and their families and caregivers can all benefit from massage therapy. Massage for Anxiety, Agitation for People with Dementia Feelings of anxiety, sadness or anger are common with dementia and the memory loss that comes with it. These feelings can cause dementia patients to feel agitated, which can sometimes lead to aggression. Massage therapy has emerged as a non-pharmacological intervention to help manage agitation, stress and aggressive behavior in people living with dementia. “Massage therapy can calm anxiety by invoking the relaxation response if the client enjoys the touch,” Brewer says. A 2020 literature review 2 explored massage therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention to help control agitation and stress in patients with dementia. The review examined the role of massage therapy (alone or in conjunction with

As with much of the growth that occurs in the massage therapy profession, research has proved invaluable in broadening our understanding of what massage can offer people with dementia. Dementia is a blanket term that comprises several diseases that affect memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily tasks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for anywhere between 60% and 80% of cases. The WHO lists the following as some of the most common early signs and symptoms of dementia:

SHOULD YOU SPECIALIZE?

Looking to more narrowly focus your practice? You may find your passion is working with clients who have dementia. For other areas of specialization to consider, read “Is Specialization Right for You?” on page 20 .

• Forgetting things or recent events • Getting lost when walking or driving • Being confused, even in familiar places • Problems following conversations • Difficulty solving problems or making decisions

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