Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Benefit From Massage Therapy

Adolescence, Spring, 1998 by Tiffany M. Field, Olga Quintino, Maria Hernandez-Reif, Gabrielle Koslovsky

Although relaxation therapy has also been effective with depressed adolescents (Platania-Solazzo et at, 1992), no changes were noted in the present study. The lack of effects may relate to the fact that several adolescents reported not enjoying the relaxation therapy. This more active form of therapy was called "hard work" by those who complained.

Massage therapy could become an important tool in the management of ADHD, in conjunction with currently used therapies. It may, for example, potentiate methylphenidate and other drugs or complement behavior modification. In cases where present therapies are not effective or are accompanied by undersirable side effects, massage therapy could be a substitute treatment for children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.

This research was supported by an NIMH Research Scientist Award (#MH00331) and an NIMH Basic Research Grant (#MH46586) to Tiffany Field.

Olga Quintino, Maria Hernandez-Reif, and Gabrielle Koslovsky, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine.

Reprint requests to Tiffany Field, Ph.D., Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016820, Miami, Florida 33101.

Anderson, J. C., Williams, S., McGee, R., & Silva, P. A. (1987). DSM-III disorders in preadolescent children: Prevalence in a large sample from the general population. Archives of General Psychiatry, 44, 69-76.

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