The Effectiveness of Massage Therapy Intervention on Reducing Anxiety in the Workplace

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Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an on-site chair massage therapy program in reducing anxiety levels of employees. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest control group design was used to determine changes in anxiety levels due to the massage therapy intervention. Eighteen subjects participated in the chair massage therapy program for 6 weeks. Fifteen control group subjects participated in break therapy. For 15 minutes weekly, subjects either received a massage or were allowed a break, depending on their assignment to either the treatment or control condition. Participants' stress levels were measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Self-Assessment Questionnaire. This measure was administered twice during pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest to achieve stable measures. Significant reductions in anxiety levels were found for the massage group. Future research and implications for management are discussed.