Pilot Study October 2011-January 2012

Child A Age: 9 Sex: Male

Baseline observation: High functioning boy who can be very anxious. Has difficulty with communication.
Goals with massage for this child: To help relieve stress and anxiety
How often did the child receive massage: 1-2 times a week
Description of the child after:
2 weeks: Little change has been noted.
4 weeks: Slightly more capable of opening up to his teacher.
6 weeks: Using his card system to ask for more help/support.
8 weeks: After massage he is more relaxed and can focus more.
Longer term observations: He is slightly more relaxed in the classroom. There appears to be more support being offered to him from his peers.

Child B Age: 9 Sex: Male

Baseline observation: Easily distracted and has difficulty with staying on task.
Goals with massage for this child: To help make him more focussed and capable of staying on task.
How often did the child receive massage: 1-2 times a week
Description of the child after:
2 weeks: During and straight after massage he is more focussed
4 weeks: Continuing to be more focussed with a slight improvement from 2 weeks ago
6 weeks: There were more noticeable positive changes in his behaviour in class
8 weeks: His behaviour continues to improve
Longer term observations: He is more relaxed and can focus more. He very much enjoyed being massaged more than massaging others. He often needed support from staff but enjoyed his relaxation time.

Child C Age: 9 Sex: Male

Baseline observation: He has a diagnosis which affects his social communication skills.
How often did the child receive massage: 1-2 times a week
Description of the child after:
2 weeks: he was more relaxed and open to new suggestions
4 weeks: massage was having a positive impact
6 weeks: less difficult situations to deal with
8 weeks: he appears less stressed and is communicating more
Longer term observations: Overall the massage has had a positive effect on his wellbeing and ability to focus