these areas just cited is an underlying conditiontreatment interface that ultimately must be addressed and understood in terms of explanatory mechanisms (see Field, 2000b). And, of course, there is the realm of therapeutic massage profession studies so essential to our continued advancement and credibility, yet so lacking in past attention among researchers. Dimension 48Organizational Contexts for Supporting Massage Therapy Research The eighth and final dimension considered here is that of organizational contexts for supporting massage therapy research (see Table 9). From international, national, regional, and state massage therapy associations to highly-focused special interest groups within a given association, the strength and support found in numbers of a collegial nature cannot be overestimated. Additionally, collaboration among massage therapy schools as well as accrediting associations can certainly further appropriate standards across diverse settings in the never-ending quest for professional excellence. And looking beyond the massage therapy profession per se, our work can indeed be strengthened if and when alliances are forged with the schools, associations, and settings of other health care professionals. 0 Research Competencies 10 References Cassidy, C. M. (1998/1999). Methodological issues in investigations of massage/bodywork therapy. Paper prepared for the AMTA Foundation's Massage Research Agenda Workgroup. Bethesda, MD: Paradigms Found Consulting. Domholdt, E. (2000). Physical therapy research: Principles and applications (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co. Freeman, L. W. (2001). Massage therapy. In L. W. Freem Build a research infrastructure within the massage therapy profession. Encourage development of a research literate massage therapy profession through several means. Work with the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), the AMTA Council of Schools (COS) and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) to establish research as a core competency in the professional education of massage therapists. Fund the education of massage therapy researchers. Foster collaborations, create pathways and establish linkages which encourage interactions of massage therapists with physicians; clinical and experimental researchers; and with social scientists. 2. Fund research into the safety and efficacy of massage therapy. Begin by funding studies which compare the relative effectiveness of different massage modalities for a given condition and then fund studies which compare the optimum massage therapy for a given condition with other standard methods of care (medical, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.). The MRAW suggested four primary prevention studies, two secondary prevention studies and replication studies. 3. Fund studies of physiological (or other) mechanisms by which massage therapy achieves its effects. The MRAW further suggested funding systematic documentation of physiological effects of massage and explorations of the dimensions and effects of “subtle energy.” 4. Fund studies stemming from a wellness paradigm. Document what “wellness” means to stake holders. Establish the dimensions of the effects of massage therapy on “self-healing” and align these studies with the study of physiological mechanisms above. Explore the interaction of consciousness, wellness and the actual practice of massage therapists. 5. Fund studies of the profession of therapeutic massage. Fund studies which determine what makes a “good” or “great” massage therapist; document how massage therapists are perceived by themselves and others; evaluate the client assessment skills of massage therapists; and explore the dimensions of the therapeutic encounter. Executive Summary of Recommendations From the Massage Research Agenda Workgroup (MRAW) 2 INTRODUCTION Rigorously controlled and replicated research is a key to the professionalization of any health care field. Reliable research findings are a prerequisite for access to many contexts in which massage therapists practice or would like to practice. For these reasons, the AMTA Foundation convened a three-day working conference of research scientists and massage therapists/ bodyworkers in March 1999 to frame a research agenda for the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Without the active participation of members of the massage profession in deciding what research should be done, there is every possibility that knowledge generated from future research will not be relevant or of value to massage therapists or to their clients. In preparation for the meeting, the Foundation recognized that various constituencies already held agendas, which would need to be articulated and addressed. Prior to the meeting, a web site survey and focus groups conducted by the Foundation revealed that massage therapists had three key goals that needed to inform the research agenda. 1. Massage therapists want more people to seek regular massage for health maintenance and well-being. What is the research agenda that might lead to this? 2. Massage therapists want to understand more clearly how and why their work is effective or ineffective. What is the research agenda that will lead to this understanding? 3. Some massage therapists want to be reimbursed by third