Massage and touch

Massage and touch are two complementary therapies often thought to reduce responsive behaviours or low mood and anxiety in people living with dementia. [1] Massage applies touch with some pressure and movement. It includes techniques such as stroking, pressing, rubbing, and kneading to manipulate layers of muscle and connective tissue to bring comfort and relaxation. [2] Touch might involve acupressure, reflexology, or slow, gentle stroking. [2] It might also involve ‘therapeutic touch’, where the therapist’s hands are held near the person’s body but do not come into contact. [3] Massage and touch might be applied to the back, shoulders, and neck or smaller regions such as hands and feet. [3]

This evidence theme on massage and touch is a summary of one of the key topics identified by a scoping review of dementia research. If you need more information on this topic, try using the PubMed search below.

The findings of two reviews support the effectiveness of massage and touch in reducing overall responsive behaviours in people living with dementia in the residential care setting. More specifically, massage and touch reduced:

• Physical behaviour, both aggressive and non-aggressive
• Verbal behaviour, both aggressive and non-aggressive [2]
• Agitation. [1]

Massage and touch were less effective in reducing negative emotions such as:

• Anxiety
• Sadness
• Anger. [2]

There were no harmful effects found for this population. 

The reviews also highlighted concerns about the methods used by some of the studies. This reduces the degree of certainty we might have about the benefits of massage and touch. For example:

• Many studies only had a small number of participants.
• Important details of what was done were missing such as the type of massage involved and its frequency.
• Across studies, massage and touch were administered in different ways by unspecified people, at different times of the day, and with varying frequency, and duration. This makes it hard to come to any conclusions about the effectiveness of the approach for most people. [2]

With further research, it may be possible to develop standardised guidelines describing the best approach to providing massage and touch to people living with dementia. [2]

• Massage or touch with the aim of calming responsive behaviours may work on one person but not another. Take an active ‘test and see’ approach to providing these therapies and always with the permission of the person with dementia.
• Proceed with care if the person has thin, dry skin, excess fluid, or inflammation. [4]
• Consider cultural norms and expectations around touch.

• Consider engaging a professional massage therapist to routinely provide this form of therapy for people living with dementia in the residential care setting.
• Ensure there is an appropriate space in the residential aged care setting when providing massage/touch sessions. Dedicating a pleasant space to these activities may encourage more involvement of personal care staff, activities staff, volunteers, and family carers.

1. Moyle W, Murfield JE, O'Dwyer S, Van Wyk S. The effect of massage on agitated behaviours in older people with dementia: A literature review. J. Clin. Nurs.. 2013;22(5-6):601-10.
2. Wu J, Wang Y, Wang Z. The effectiveness of massage and touch on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: A quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Adv. Nurs. 2017;73(10):2283-95.
3. Hansen NV, Jørgensen T, Ørtenblad L. Massage and touch for dementia. Cochrane Database  Syst Rev. 2006(4).
4. Beyond Blue. What works to promote emotional wellbeing in older people: A guide for aged care staff working in community or residential care settings [Internet]. Melbourne: Beyond Blue; 2014 [cited 2023 Jun 29]. Available from: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/docs/default-source/resources/329885_0616_bl1263_small_v5.pdf.