This study represents a conservative pilot test of massage therapy among older adults for several
reasons. The participants represented a community-based well population rather than a severely distressed clinical population. Second, the massage therapy protocol, while including commonly used techniques, was standardised for
research purposes rather than being an individualised treatment plan addressing specific concerns. Third, the sample size was relatively small. Despite these factors, which would mitigate against significant findings, positive improvements were found for six of the eight outcomes measured, suggesting that massage’s impact on well-being is a robust finding.