Manual therapy to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in menopause
Garibaldi, Eleonora (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060520653
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060520653
Tiivistelmä
Menopause represents a significant transition in a woman's life and is often associated with symptoms such as anxiety and depression due to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen. This hormonal drop influences neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for mood regulation, potentially leading to a reduction in quality of life.
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the effectiveness of manual therapies in alleviating menopausal symptoms—specifically anxiety and depression—as potential alternatives or complements to hormone replacement therapy.
The aim was to support the development of non-pharmacological approaches and to encourage future research in this area. A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Scientific articles published between 2009 and 2024 were selected from four databases—PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect and Wiley Online Library—using the PICo framework. After applying inclusion criteria, eight relevant studies were analyzed and thematically categorized. Two main themes emerged: the types of manual therapies used to address anxiety and depression in menopausal women and the mechanisms through which these therapies exert their effects.
The results indicated that tissue massage, deep tissue massage, foot reflexology and craniofacial massage can reduce anxiety and depression. These techniques modulate the autonomic nervous system, regulate hormone and neurotransmitter levels and influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These articles have highlighted how these manual therapies improve parasympathetic tone, reduce sympathetic hyperactivit and potentially improve cerebrospinal fluid circulation.
The results suggest that some manual therapies may offer a valuable non-invasive option to improve emotional well-being in menopausal women. This thesis lays the foundation for future research and the development of standardized clinical protocols.
The purpose of this thesis was to explore the effectiveness of manual therapies in alleviating menopausal symptoms—specifically anxiety and depression—as potential alternatives or complements to hormone replacement therapy.
The aim was to support the development of non-pharmacological approaches and to encourage future research in this area. A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Scientific articles published between 2009 and 2024 were selected from four databases—PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect and Wiley Online Library—using the PICo framework. After applying inclusion criteria, eight relevant studies were analyzed and thematically categorized. Two main themes emerged: the types of manual therapies used to address anxiety and depression in menopausal women and the mechanisms through which these therapies exert their effects.
The results indicated that tissue massage, deep tissue massage, foot reflexology and craniofacial massage can reduce anxiety and depression. These techniques modulate the autonomic nervous system, regulate hormone and neurotransmitter levels and influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These articles have highlighted how these manual therapies improve parasympathetic tone, reduce sympathetic hyperactivit and potentially improve cerebrospinal fluid circulation.
The results suggest that some manual therapies may offer a valuable non-invasive option to improve emotional well-being in menopausal women. This thesis lays the foundation for future research and the development of standardized clinical protocols.