Massage improves menopause symptoms in systematic review and meta-analysis

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Complementary therapies in medicine Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 Study authors: Lu Xingang, Xu Xiaoli, Shi Xiangdong, Lian Baoling, Yu Liwei, Pan Junfeng, Gou Haixin PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Consider massage therapy for menopausal symptoms, especially somatic, psychosocial, and mood outcomes.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of massage therapy on menopausal and postmenopausal women. The primary outcome was the total index of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), which showed a significant benefit (P = 0.0007). Significant improvements were also seen in the somatic subscale (P = 0.001), psychosocial subscale (P < 0.00001), Beck anxiety inventory (P = 0.0004), Beck depression inventory (P < 0.00001), and fatigue severity scale (P < 0.00001).

Some benefit was observed for the MENQOL vasomotor (P = 0.08), psychosocial (P = 0.05), physical (P = 0.22), and sexual (P = 0.04) subscales, as well as the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (P = 0.87) and SF-36 mental subscale (P = 0.76), though these did not reach statistical significance. The urogenital subscale of the MRS showed no significant effect (P = 0.22).

The authors noted a discrepancy between the MRS and MENQOL subscales, which was explored and discussed. Heterogeneity across most studies was not high. Adverse events were not reported.

Massage therapy may be considered an effective nonpharmacologic option for managing menopausal symptoms, particularly for somatic, psychosocial, and mood-related complaints. However, the lack of reported safety data and the mixed results on quality-of-life subscales warrant cautious interpretation.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

PMID41903824

View Original Abstract ↓

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis study explores the effect of massage on comprehensive menopause symptoms, including vasomotor, physical, psychological, sexual, sleep, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in menopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: The following English databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and other databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between inception and Oct 25, 2025. RCTs that investigated the efficacy of massage on menopause symptoms were included. Revman software (version 5.0) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Massage showed benefits for most menopause outcomes in the total index of the menopause rating scale (MRS) after treatment (P = 0.0007), somatic subscale (P = 0.001), psychosocial subscale (P < 0.00001), but showed no significant effect on the urogenital subscale (P = 0.22). There were some benefits for the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) vasomotor (P = 0.08), psychosocial (P = 0.05), physical (P = 0.22), and sexual subscales (P = 0.04). The discrepancy between the MRS and MENQOL subscales was explored and discussed. The effects of massage on other indices showed some but not all benefits, including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI; P = 0.87), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI; P = 0.0004), Beck depression inventory (BDI; P < 0.00001), Short Form 36 Health survey (SF-36) mental subscale (P = 0.76), and fatigue severity scale (P < 0.00001). The heterogeneities of most studies were not high. CONCLUSIONS: Massage significantly improves psychological, depressive, anxious, and fatigue-related symptoms in menopausal and postmenopausal women but does not show significant effects on urogenital, sleep-related, and other physical symptoms. It can be recommended as an effective therapy for menopausal and postmenopausal syndromes.