Massage

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Massage Therapy, Massage Therapist, Masseur, Masseuse

Category

Services, Wellness, Recreation, Tourism, Health Care, Concessions

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate and identify a facility where a massage may be obtained

	Source	Description
	Kapitzki	Frontal view of standing human figure with white coat (outline), human figure lying on the back, cross
	Baden-Baden	Frontal view of human figure standing, human figure lying on the back on massage table
	Erco	Frontal view of human figure standing behind human figure lying on the back
	ÖNORM A 3011	Side view of human figure massaging human figure in prone position
	Schiphol	Side view of human figure massaging lying person
	CNIS	Side view of human figure massaging lying person
	Québec	Human figure massaging human figure in prone position
	Sanhawan	Human figure massaging human figure in prone position
	Smashicons	Frontal view of human figure lying on massage table, standing human figure on the side
	Amethyst Studio	Back of person, hand massaging at neck
	Rattanaphan	Foot and two hands indicating foot massage
	Becris	Two hands reaching into rectangle, lines indicating movement
	Prado	Side view of hand above curved element
	Muthesius	Hand plus arrow forming two thirds of a circle above, cross on the left

Discussion

The collection above probably shows most basic concepts used to identify a facility where a massage may be obtained. The heterogenity of images found indicates that there might be no single visual stereotype for this referent. This also may be based on the fact that the manifold massage types and methods developed over time often also focus on very specific parts of the body. An overview of this diversity can be found in a corresponding article in Wikipedia.

In our research we did not discover any test data on comprehensibility of pictograms used to indicate Massage or Massage Therapy.

When judging pictograms for this message, one has to keep in mind the fact, that some of the pictograms for Adult Changing Table resemble those variants showing a human figure manipulating a human figure lying on the back. Therefore pictograms like the two at the top of the table above should not be considered for Massage, especially also as height-adjustable adult changing tables offering support for people with disabilities will become more common in the near future. Moreover also some variants signifying Physiotherapy resemble these pictograms.

Recommendation

Massage

Regarding various applications and what has been mentioned concerning the referent Adult Changing Table, we recommend using public information symbol No 158 of ÖNORM A 3011 for Massage at the moment.

Furthermore we suggest to evaluate all basic concepts: due to the fact that data from research is non-existent, we recommend to start testing using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending the best pictogram. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. Also information concerning knowledge about this kind of treatment should be collected at the end of the test, as the degree of familiarity with the referent examined has a significant impact on the validity of the data collected.

Tests of pictograms of referent Massage

No data from research or tests is available in our database.