In 2013, a study explores the potential benefits of tactile massage (TM) for patients with type 2 diabetes, shedding light on its effects beyond the widely monitored glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Conducted by a team of researchers including P.E. Wändell, J. Ärnlöv, A. Nixon Andreasson, K. Andersson, L. Törnkvist, and A.C. Carlsson, the study examined how TM might influence various metabolic biomarkers in diabetic patients.
Tactile massage, characterized by gentle and superficial strokes, was initially noted for its potential to reduce HbA1c by 0.8% in a pilot study. However, a more rigorous randomized study comparing 10 weeks of weekly TM sessions to relaxation exercises did not replicate this reduction in HbA1c. Despite this, a significant decrease in waist circumference (WC) was observed among participants who received TM.
The study conducted a secondary per-protocol analysis involving 21 participants in the TM group and 25 in the relaxation group. Researchers assessed various anthropometric and metabolic factors, including:
- Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC)
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
- Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor (S IGF)
- Fasting Serum Insulin (fS insulin)
- Serum Adiponectin and Leptin
- Fasting Plasma Ghrelin (fP ghrelin)
- Insulin Resistance (IR) calculated using the HOMA2-IR model
- Ratios of adiponectin-to-leptin, adiponectin-to-HOMA-IR, adiponectin-to-WC, and adiponectin-to-HbA1c
Measurements were taken at baseline, 10 weeks, and six months post-intervention.
Adjusting for age, gender, lifestyle, and medical changes, the study revealed significant outcomes for the TM group:
- Waist Circumference: Women in the TM group saw a substantial reduction in WC (-6.2 cm; 95% CI: -10.4, -1.9), an effect not mirrored in men.
- Adiponectin Levels: There were notable improvements in adiponectin and the ratios of adiponectin-to-leptin and adiponectin-to-HbA1c in the TM group.
While TM did not significantly impact HbA1c levels, the therapy showed promising effects on other metabolic markers, particularly for women. The findings suggest that TM might offer a complementary approach to managing type 2 diabetes, with potential benefits that warrant further investigation.
The study underscores the need for additional research to fully understand the clinical implications and to explore how TM could be integrated into diabetes care protocols.
Reference: Wändell, P. E., Ärnlöv, J., Andreasson, A. N., Andersson, K., Törnkvist, L., & Carlsson, A. C. (2013). Effects of tactile massage on metabolic biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes & metabolism, 39(5), 411-417.