What Research Tells Us about Massage Therapy for Dementia

We think of dementia as a loss of thinking, remembering, and reasoning, particularly common as people age. That is correct. What is not correct, however, is that this loss of cognitive functioning that is so severe that it affects daily living is not a normal part of aging. As the National Institute on Aging (NIA) points out, many people live into their nineties and show no signs of dementia.[1]

Dementia, of which there are several types, is the result of the loss of functionality of once healthy neurons or nerve cells in the brain. Neurons lose connections with other brain cells and die. Loss of neurons as we age is normal, however the loss in people suffering from dementia is far greater, explains NIA.[2]

Among the latest statistics on dementia, the Who Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2021, 57 million people globally were living with dementia, with nearly ten million new cases reported each year. Dementia also is the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among the elderly worldwide.[3]

Among the types of dementia are:[4]

·         Alzheimer’s disease: It is the most common dementia caused by changes in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins, known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

·         Frontotemporal dementia: This type of dementia is rare and occurs in people under 60. The condition is associated with abnormal amounts or forms of the tau and TDP-43 proteins.

·         Lewy body dementia: A form of dementia caused by abnormal deposits of proteins called Lewy bodies (protein alpha-synuclein).

·         Vascular dementia: Caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain or interrupt blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

·         Mixed dementia: A combination of two or more types of dementia.

 

Signs and symptoms of dementia

Dementia symptoms will vary depending on the cause. Some are cognitive changes; others are psychological.

Cognitive changes include:

• Subtle short-term memory changes
• Problems communicating or finding words, understanding, expressing thoughts, reading, and writing
• Changes in mood
• Trouble performing complex tasks
• Losing interest in normal daily activities and events
• Difficulty adapting to change
• Confusion and disorientation

Psychological changes:[5]

·         Personality changes

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Behavior that does not fit the situation
• Being suspicious, known as paranoia
• Seeing things that are not there, known as hallucinations

 

Role of massage in dementia care

Massage therapy cannot cure or directly treat dementia, but it can offer a complementary approach to managing some of the behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with the disease, particularly agitation, as well as stress, anxiety and aggression. Research suggests that gentle massage and therapeutic touch may help reduce agitation and depressive symptoms, although studies vary in their methods and more research is needed to determine the most effective techniques, duration and frequency.

Recent research on massage for dementia patients

Reduce agitation: In 2025, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials involving 980 patients with dementia. The study results showed that massage and touch could lessen agitation and behavior problems in dementia. The improvements were specifically associated with hand, head, and foot massage lessening agitation.. The study also indicated massage and touch for less than four weeks was most effective in reducing agitated behavior than when applied for over four weeks. Also massages and touch were more effective for individuals who has less severe dementia. While massage proved effective in mitigating agitation in dementia patients, the researchers recommended more studies to validate results.[6]

Behavioral and psychological symptoms: A 2019 systematic review/meta-analysis looked at 11 randomized controlled trials involving 825 people with dementia to determine the efficacy of manual massage for patients with dementia. Manual massage indicated a statistically significant improvement in:

·         Agitation

·         Depressive symptoms

 

It did not, however, show a significant improvement in cognitive function as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination nor in overall neuropsychiatric symptoms commonly found in dementia patients (apathy, anxiety, social disinhibition, and psychotic symptoms are examples) as measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory.[7]

Irritability: In another research study about massage for dementia patients conducted in 2022. 60 patients with several types and stages of dementia with irritability participated in a cross-over randomized controlled trial. The study included three non-pharmacological interventions: validation therapy/psycho educational program, aromatherapy/massage, and music therapy. The trial found that aromatherapy/massage was the most effective non-pharmacological intervention, followed by validation therapy and music therapy.[8]

Guidelines for massage for dementia patients

While massage shows benefits of massage for dementia patients to help ease symptoms, massage therapists should make sure they do not increase patient anxiety and agitation by taking the following step, offers massage therapy professionals interviewed by American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)[9]

·         Find out about the client’s preferences for music, aroma, and lighting

·         Have a caregiver with them or nearby

·         Avoid the prone position, which can become disorienting, and the face cradle can feel suffocating

·         Ask permission at each stage of the massage

·         Assess the client’s level of agitation before and during the massage and discontinue the session if the treatment is exacerbating symptoms.

More research is needed to understand the benefits of massage therapy for dementia, however research conducted to date points to positive results to ease comfort in those suffering from the disease. While massage is not a cure for dementia, it can help ease agitation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.