Tactile Massage Benefits Young People with ADHD

Tactile massage can help with hyperactivity, impulsivity, and concentration deficits in ADHD. This is the result of a small-scale investigation carried out at the University of Gothenburg. Young folks reported that the massage made it simpler to fall asleep.

In the study, 14 young adults aged 15 to 17 years with ADHD were given tactile massage once a week for 10 weeks. The massage was performed in Trollhättan or Uddevalla by qualified massage therapists using a precise massage protocol. Tactile massage is a delicate and pronounced massage performed with gradual, programmed movements that follow a precise framework.

Twelve of the fourteen young individuals finished the entire treatment. They were asked to assess their mood and ADHD symptoms before, during, and after therapy. The young people’s guardians were also questioned how they felt about their child’s well-being both before and after treatment.

Positive impacts
The results indicate that hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention deficit were significantly reduced. The treatment also decreased irritability and defiant behavior. Some of the favorable effects appeared to persist at three months post-treatment.

The study’s principal author is Anna-Carin Robertz, a PhD student at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg. She is also a specialized nurse in psychiatry within the NU healthcare system, where she has previously provided tactile massage as an adjunct to traditional treatment, including for young individuals with ADHD.

“Tactile massage appears to be a safe and effective treatment for adolescents with ADHD. Our study is small, but it contributes to a scientific basis for healthcare priorities. Perhaps there is an opportunity to create a simpler form of the treatment so that it becomes more resource-efficient for the healthcare system to offer it.”- Anna-Carin Robertz, PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

Easy to sleep
Sleep issues are more than twice as common in young persons with ADHD as in their peers. Several of the young people reported that it was much simpler to fall asleep at night after receiving the tactile massage.

“Very little is known about alternatives to sleep medication for young people. This study could lead to more research on how massage therapy can help improve sleep patterns,” says Anna-Carin Robertz.

ADHD is a prevalent diagnosis for children and adolescents under the age of 18 in Sweden. According to the National Board of Health and Welfare’s statistical database, 10.5% of boys and 6% of girls were diagnosed with ADHD in November 2023. Daily modifications and medication can help a person with ADHD deal better with schooling and social relationships, but the effectiveness of such therapies varies by individual.

For more information: Positive effects of tactile massage for adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – a small scale study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101909