The Effect of Swedish Massage on Glycohemoglobin in Children with Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease in children. Massage therapy can improve glucose metabolism in DM. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Swedish massage on the Glycohemoglobin (HbA۱c) in children with DM. Methods: This study was an semi-experimental (clinical trial) conducted on thirty-six children, ۶-۱۲ years old with (DM), recruited from a clinic of the Qom City, Iran. They were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (۱۸ patients in each group). Swedish massage was performed for fifteen minutes, three times weekly, for three months in intervention group. The HbA۱c was evaluated before and after intervention in the two groups. Results: The average ages of children in the intervention and control groups were ۹.۰۵(±۱.۵۵) and ۹.۸۳(±۲.۰۳) years respectively. There was statistically no significant difference in Glycohemoglobin before intervention between two groups (P=۰.۴۹۱), but the Glycohemoglobin was lower significantly in intervention group in comparison with control group after intervention (P<۰.۰۰۰۱). Discussion: Massage therapy can be an assisted treatment in children with DM reducing the drug consumption by patients for the control of DM.

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus , Swedish massage , Glycohemoglobin (HbA۱c) , Children