Everything at a Glance
Serious research has been conducted on massage chairs for several years now. This page lists the available studies, including their methodology, number of participants, results, and a link to the original paper. It also includes studies whose results we do not agree with, as well as the four documented cases of injury. Anyone who buys a device costing several thousand euros has a right to know both sides of the story.
Let's be honest: Who's going to pay for all this?
Much of the research on massage chairs comes from the manufacturers themselves, or at least the measurements are taken using their devices. That’s not surprising. Public funding goes toward cancer research and vaccines, not living room furniture. Who else would pay for it?
Still, we don't want to keep it a secret. That's why every work on this site includes what we were able to find out about its origin. If nothing is listed, it means we found no evidence of involvement.
And just so there’s no misunderstanding: A study funded by the manufacturer isn’t automatically inferior. It undergoes the same peer review as any other, and the authors must disclose who funded it. That’s exactly what they do—otherwise, we wouldn’t know. It’s just something to keep in mind when interpreting the data.
2026
One group, pre- and post-measurements · 35 participants · 2 weeks
Delivery room staff used the device during breaks to relieve back and lower back pain. Pain, perceived stress, tension, and exhaustion decreased, while well-being increased. However, without a control group, it is not possible to distinguish the effect of the device from that of the breaks themselves, as the authors themselves note.
Original Work2026
Controlled trial · 10 participants · Brain measurement using fNIRS
After a prolonged period of mental work, the participants sat either quietly or in a massage chair, accompanied by binaural beats. Measurements of cerebral blood flow suggest reduced mental fatigue and improved memory. With 10 participants, this is an initial indication, not definitive proof.
Original Work2026
Three-part study · Students and hospital staff
Diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, stress, and anxiety decreased. Among staff members with chronic back pain, lower back function improved.
Funded by a joint grant from Universiti Malaya and Ogawa Malaysia. The authors state that the company did not participate in the study's design or analysis.
Original Work2025
Randomized controlled · 62 participants · 4 weeks
The performance test score rose from 9.42 to 11.58 points. More strength in the thighs, less fear of falling. The control group, which did core training, lost strength.
The study examined a device manufactured by Bodyfriend. The company’s involvement in the study is not specified.
Original Work2025
Randomized, placebo-controlled · four groups
Three massage programs compared to a session in the recliner with the power off. The design thus separates the effects of the massage from the effects of reclining.
Original Work2025
Randomized controlled · 24 participants · 4 weeks
After 6 sessions, there was a reduction in feelings of low mood and stress; after 12 sessions, there was also a reduction in back and calf pain, as well as lower levels of inflammation in the blood.
Funded by Healthy World Lifestyle Sdn. Bhd. (OGAWA), conducted at Universiti Sains Malaysia using an Ogawa Master Drive AI 2.0. The authors state that the funder did not participate in the study’s design or analysis.
Original Work2024
Scoping Review · 18 of 59 studies included
The first-ever systematic review of research on massage chairs.
Original Work2024
Randomized crossover study · Primiparous women
Mechanical full-body massage during labor, compared with standard care.
Original Work2024
Randomized, Crossover · 59 patients
The infusion was administered once in the massage chair and once in bed, under medical supervision.
Original Work2023
Randomized controlled trial · 58 participants · 6 weeks
Significantly less pain and a higher pressure pain threshold than in the comparison group receiving heat therapy. No adverse events occurred.
The study examined a device manufactured by Bodyfriend. The company’s involvement in the study is not specified.
Original Work2023
Randomized · three groups · 60 participants
Significant differences in heart rate variability compared to the group that did not participate in the program. The body switched to recovery mode more quickly.
Original Work2022
Randomized controlled trial · 80 participants aged 50 to 75
Used twice daily for half a year. DHEA-S levels decreased measurably, afternoon cortisol levels dropped, and participants reported improvements in their mood and sense of well-being.
Original Work2020
Randomized controlled · 56 participants
Both treatments were effective. Physical therapy was more effective in terms of pain relief and mobility. The massage chair cost 60.17 percent of that amount, with the same level of participant satisfaction.
Employees from the research center of the manufacturer Bodyfriend contributed to the essay. This makes the result all the more remarkable: it is unfavorable to the company's own product.
Original Work2019
Before-and-After Measurement · 200 sessions over 6 months
At a cancer center, a massage chair was set up in a quiet room. Participants' perceived stress, blood pressure, and heart rate all decreased significantly.
Original WorkIn all four cases, the patients had pre-existing conditions. These are individual case reports spanning several decades; they do not represent incidence rates. The implications of this are discussed in “When to Exercise Caution with a Massage Chair.”
These studies examine manual massage. They provide the background, but their findings cannot be readily applied to a device. We list them separately so that the difference remains clear.
We track what is published in medical journals regarding massage chairs and compile it here in one place. We read each study ourselves: the study design, number of participants, and results are taken directly from the original study, not from secondary sources. Every two months, we check to see if anything new has been added. This version is current as of August 30, 2026.
Do you know of a study that's missing here? Send it to us. We'll review it and include it if it's relevant. The same goes if you notice an error: just send a quick message to info@massagesesselwelt.de, and we'll correct it.
Tell us a little bit about yourself—then we'll get started. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
