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Table 1 30- and 60-minute massage protocols

From: Development of a manualized protocol of massage therapy for clinical trials in osteoarthritis

 

Allowed Swedish massage techniques:

 

Effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, friction, and skin rolling

 

30-minute protocol (25 minutes of table time)

Region

Time allotted

Distribution

Lower limbs

12 to 15 min

From knee down including lower leg, ankle, and foot. From knee up including hips, pelvis, buttocks, and thigh.

 

(45% to 50% of session)

 

Upper body

8 to 12 min

Lower and upper back; head/neck/chest.

 

(36% to 44% of session)

 

Discretionary

2 to 5 min

Therapist to expand treatment to other affected areas; that is rib cage, flank, upper limbs, et cetera.

 

(6% to 19% of session)

 
 

60-minute protocol (55 minutes of table time a )

Lower limbs

20 to 27.5 min

From knee down including lower leg, ankle, and foot. From knee up including hips, pelvis, buttocks, and thigh.

 

(45% to 50% of session)

 

Upper body

15 to 24 min

Lower and upper back; head, neck, and chest.

 

(36% to 44% of session)

 

Discretionary

3.5 to 20 min

Therapist to expand treatment to other affected areas; that is rib cage, flank, upper limbs, et cetera.

 

(6% to 19% of session)

 
  1. aAccounting for time spent in transition including the welcome, transition to the massage room, taking off jewelry, and other preparatory activities.