Since 2006, through the MTRF, CMTO has made significant contributions towards Massage Therapy research conducted by researchers, Massage Therapists working with researchers and Massage Therapists undertaking graduate studies across Canada.

Highlights about the MTRF:

• Over $450,000 in grant funds awarded;
• 26 Massage Therapy research projects from across Canada funded;
• 4 Massage Therapists pursuing research training through a Master’s or PhD program at a Canadian university supported through the MTRF;
• Researchers in 9 provinces from 21 different research institutions in Canada (universities, teaching hospitals and colleges) have received MTRF grants.

To ensure Massage Therapists’ have access to the findings and knowledge generated through the MTRF, CMTO provides a summary of each project in progress and a final report of each completed project.

Go to:

MTRF Funded Studies – COMPLETED
MTRF Funded Studies – IN PROGRESS

 

MTRF Funded Studies – COMPLETED

Recipient Name	Institution	Project Title	Grant Amount	Year Received	Files
Amanda Baskwill	Humber College	Patients’ Experiences of Ending Massage Therapy Care	$13,209	2017	Baskwill – MTRF  Final Report
Amanda Baskwill	Humber College	Flunking or Flying Colours: A Canadian Massage Therapy Education Environmental Scan	$27,558	2017	Baskwill – MTRF  Final Report
Dr. Martin Descarreaux	Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières	The Effect of Massage Therapy on Trunk Muscular Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain	$24,000	2015	Descarreaux – MTRF Final Report Descarreaux – Published Article
Dr. Nathaly Gaudreault	Université de Sherbrooke	Can Massage Therapy Promote Recovery of Locomotion following Spinal Transection?	$47,158	2015	Gaudreault – MTRF Final Report Gaudreault – Published Article
Dr. Anne Leis & Donelda Gowan-Moody	University of Saskatchewan	Development of a Taxonomy of Adverse Events in Massage Therapy: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study	$19,479	2014	Leis – MTRF Final Report Gowan-Moody PhD Thesis
Dr. Greg Wells & Gillian White	University of Toronto	The Effect of Massage Therapy on Inflammatory Mediators in Skeletal Muscle Employed at Rest and following High-Intensity Intermittent Sprint Exercise	$20,000	2014	Wells – MTRF Final Report   White – Published Article
Amanda Baskwill	Humber College	Exploring Utilization and Knowledge of, and Attitudes, Barriers and Supports to Evidence-Informed Massage Therapy	$5,000	2013	Baskwill – MTRF Final Report IN-CAM Symposium 2014 Baskwill – Published Article
Dr. Fuschia Sirois	Université de Sherbrooke	The Effects of Massage Therapy on the Anxiety and Sleep Quality of Individuals with Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study	$17,850.40	2013	Sirois – MTRF Final Report    IN-CAM Symposium 2014
Pamela Hammond	Princess Margaret Hospital	“Today I understand it better”: Evaluating Breast Cancer Patients’ Success in Learning Lymphatic Self-Massage at the Princess Margaret Hospital Lymphedema Clinic	$14,627.50	2010	Hammond – MTRF Final Report   Hammond Abstract – JCIM – IN-CAM Symposium 2012
Jean Paul Collet	BC Children’s Hospital	A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility, Efficacy and Safety of a Massage Intervention to Affect Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System of Intensive Care Unit Pediatric Patients with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome	$14,964	2010	Collet – MTRF Final Report   Collet – Student MSc Thesis (L Guan)   IN-CAM Symposium 2014
Bernadette Nedelec	Centre de recherché du Centre hospitalier du L’Universite de Montreal (CRCHUM)	Preliminary Evaluation of the Effect of Massage on Adult Burn Scars	$13,294.10	2010	Nedelec – Published Related Article
Cathy Fournier	Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Toronto General Hospital	Professional Status within an Interprofessional Context: A View of Massage Therapy	$5,840	2010	Fournier – MTRF Final Report Fournier – Published Article Fournier Abstract – JCIM – IN-CAM Symposium 2012
Lucie Brosseau	University of Ottawa	The Implementation of Bilingual Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) on Effective Massage for Neck, Back and Tendonitis Amongst Educators	$14,781.30	2010	Brosseau– MTRF Final Report Brosseau – MT for Neck Pain – Recommendations Brosseau – MT for Low Back Pain – Recommendations Brosseau – Deep Tendon Frictions for Tendinitis – Recommendations
David Behm	Memorial University of Newfoundland	The Effect of Massage on Range of Motion and Muscle Performance	$14,687.73	2010	N/A
Ania Kania	University of Calgary	Hospital-Based Massage Therapy – A Survey of Canadian Hospitals	$7,894	2009	Kania – MTRF Final Report Kania Abstract – JCIM – IN-CAM Symposium 2012 Kania – Casey House Presentation Kania – Published Article
Wayne Albert	University of New Brunswick	The Effects of Therapeutic Massage on Muscle Oxygenation in Fibromyalgia Patients	$14,690	2009	Albert – MTRF Final Report Albert Abstract – JCIM – IN-CAM Symposium 2010 Albert – Abstract Albert – Conference Presentation
Kimberley Dawson & Peter Tiidus	Wilfred Laurier University	Effectiveness of Regular Proactive Massage Therapy for Novice Recreational Runners	$14,981	2008	Dawson & Tiidus – MTRF Final Report Dawson – Poster Presentation Dawson – Published Article
Donelda Gowan-Moody & Anne Leis	University of Saskatchewan	Massage Therapists’ Research Utilization and Perceptions towards Research	$8,929	2008	Gowan-Moody & Leis – MTRF Final Report Gowan-Moody – Published Article
Victoria Wiltshire & Michael Tschakovsky	Queen’s University	Massage and Post Exercise Muscle Lactate Removal	$9,000	2007	Wiltshire & Tschakovsky – MTRF Final Report Wiltshire – Conference Abstract Wiltshire – Published Article
Patricia Janssen	University of British Columbia	Massage Therapy and Labour Outcomes	$13,000	2007	N/A
Robert Gilbert	Dalhousie University	Use of Massage Therapy to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Sleep in Patients Participating in an Inpatient Withdrawal Management (Detox) Program: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study	$7,000	2007	Gilbert – MTRF Final Report   Gilbert – Published Article
Trish Dryden & John Barrett	Centennial College and Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre	Women’s Experience of Massage Therapy during High Risk Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study	$20,000	2007	Dryden & Barrett – MTRF Final Report Dryden – Project Summary – College Standard 2005 Dryden – Project Summary – Centennial College Report Dryden – Project Abstract – IN-CAM Symposium Program – 2006

 

MTRF Funded Studies – IN PROGRESS

 

2017/2018 MTRF Funding Competition – Grant Recipients

Dr. Lucie Pelland, Queen’s University
Title: Myofascial Massage in Cerebral Palsy: Objective Measurement of Outcomes to Advance Knowledge and Practice
Grant amount: $24,166
Grant received: May 2018
Project Summary: Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children in Canada. CP is clinically described by impairments in posture and movement that evolve as the child grows and the demands for muscle strength and extensibility increase. As such, medical treatment focuses primarily on controlling spasticity to allow the muscles to lengthen with growth, and on correcting residual impairments in limb alignment to ameliorate function. We propose that myofascial release may be of therapeutic benefit to improve the mechanical parameters of spastic muscles in children with cerebral palsy. We will be using state-of-the-art motion capture combined with novel computing approaches and muscle imaging to provide objective and reliable measurements that are necessary to inform practice.

 

2018/2019 MTRF Funding Competition – Grant Recipients

Dr. Maryam Faiz, University of Toronto
Title: Manipulating the Gut Microbiota with Massage Therapy as a Treatment Strategy for Stroke
Grant amount: $39,710
Grant received: February 2019
Project Summary: Stroke is a devastating disease. In addition to long-lasting impairments in movement and cognition, many stroke survivors show symptoms of stress and anxiety. Recently, scientists have discovered that stroke causes a reduction in the number and types of bacteria in our gut. Massage therapy is a type of alternative medicine used in rehabilitation therapy to help with physical movements but also to reduce stress and anxiety in stroke survivors. We are interested in understanding whether massage therapy can change the gut bacteria after stroke and improve stroke recovery. If successful, massage therapy will become a new standard of care for stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Dr. Trisha Scribbans, University of Manitoba
Title: Myofascial Release (MFR) of the Pectoral Fascia: Effects on Shoulder Posture, Upper Limb Reaching Strategies and Performance
Grant amount: $32,094
Grant received: February 2019
Project Summary: Prolonged office work is associated with postural adaptations, especially rounded shoulder posture (RSP) and a forward head, collectively known as Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS). Techniques that focus on improving the flexibility of fascia, known as myofascial release (MFR), are a relatively new addition to the practice of Massage Therapy that improve joint movement, strength and the performance of functional tasks. The results of this study will provide critical information necessary to determine if MFR techniques are able to treat postural dysfunctions that contribute to the incidence of injuries/pain in the neck, shoulder and upper back.

 

2019/2020 MTRF Funding Competition – Grant Recipients

Dr. Nathaly Gaudreault & Dr. Nathalie Bureau, Université de Sherbrooke & Université de Montréal
Title: Ultrasound Imaging Measurements of the Thoracolumbar Fascia following Massage Therapy: A Proof of Concept Study
Grant amount: $23,500
Grant received: September 2020
Project Summary: Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is a musculoskeletal disorder defined as lower back pain that may radiate to the proximal region of the lower limb. It represents an important public health issue, with an estimated prevalence of 38% among the general population. The deep fascia is believed to be a potential generator of pain and soft tissue stiffness in patients with NSLBP. A variety of “fascia” therapies are used by massage therapists; however, the precise effective mechanisms remain poorly understood. The overall aim of the present research is to develop ultrasonographic parameters that characterize the structure and the mechanical properties of the deep fascia, and to explore the effect of a massage therapy technique on these parameters.