Journal of Pediatric Psychology · 1997 · 166 citations · 10 references
MedicineChild HealthPediatricsPain ManagementPediatric RheumatologyRheumatologyInflammatory ArthritisJoint DiseasePain In AdolescentsPain PsychologyPediatric PainRheumatoid ArthritisBehavioral Relaxation TherapyControl Group DesignJuvenile ArthritisMatched Control GroupPain Assessment In ChildrenPediatric RelaxationRheumatoid Arthritis PainStress Hormone Dynamics
Studied children with mild to moderate juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who were massaged by their parents 15 minutes a day for 30 days (and a control group engaged in relaxation therapy). The children's anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were immediately decreased by the massage, and over the 30-day period their pain decreased on self-reports, parent reports, and their physician's assessment of pain (both the incidence and severity) and pain-limiting activities.
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