AMTA Funds New MTF Research Study Exploring Prenatal Massage’s Impact on Maternal and Mental Health

With one in five pregnant individuals experiencing mental health conditions—and preterm birth rates rising among low‑income families—the need for accessible, evidence‑based prenatal interventions has never been more urgent.¹ That’s why AMTA with the support of Massage Envy, is funding a groundbreaking $300,000 research study through the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF). The grant has been awarded to the University of Denver, in partnership with the Denver‑based nonprofit Thriving Families, to examine whether prenatal massage can improve physical and mental health outcomes for pregnant women and birthing people.

The research will focus on individuals from low‑income and marginalized communities, where pregnancy‑related stress and mental health challenges are often more pronounced and access to supportive services can be limited.

Three‑Year Study Integrates Prenatal Massage into an Evidence‑Based Maternal Wellness Program

This three‑year study will evaluate the impact of incorporating prenatal massage into MotherWise, an evidence‑based, trauma‑informed, and culturally responsive maternal wellness program that supports healthy relationships and maternal well‑being through weekly classes. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive the standard MotherWise program, while the second will receive the same program along with six 20‑minute prenatal massage sessions.

All massage sessions will be provided by licensed massage therapists specially trained in prenatal care. By comparing outcomes between the two groups, researchers aim to determine whether massage therapy provides benefits beyond education and psychosocial support alone.

Building Evidence to Advance Health Equity Through Prenatal Massage

Throughout the study, researchers will track a range of key health outcomes, including postpartum depression, anxiety, stress, pain levels, sleep quality, and birth outcomes such as preterm birth and infant birth weight. The research team will also gather feedback from participants and staff to better understand how prenatal massage can be delivered effectively in real‑world community settings, including identifying potential barriers and facilitators to implementation.

Ultimately, the study seeks to generate strong scientific evidence that prenatal massage is a practical, effective, and scalable approach to improving maternal physical and mental health—while helping to address long‑standing disparities in pregnancy outcomes.

AMTA’s Commitment to Advancing Massage Therapy Research

This investment is part of AMTA’s broader commitment of $2.5 million over the next five years to support innovative massage therapy research. These efforts advance scientific understanding in priority areas such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), pediatric sleep, trauma‑informed care, and the integration of massage therapy into healthcare settings.

“Investing in research like this is essential to advancing our profession and demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of massage therapy. We’re eager to see how this study informs new pathways for supporting maternal health in underserved and marginalized communities while improving lives across the country,” said Cindy E. Farrar, AMTA National President.

About Massage Envy 

Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is a leading provider of premium skin care offerings and massage services. The Massage Envy brand was founded in 2002 and began offering skin care services in 2008. The brand has franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 225 million services across its skin care and body care offerings.

Citation:

1. Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA). Maternal Mental Health Conditions and Statistics: An Overview.
   [mmhla.org]