It doesn't prolong neuronal survival (nothing does that we know of) but has improved my husband's quality of life, in concert w/ passive stretches and ROM exercises. He is quadriplegic. Also, when he has areas that "go numb," (he also has diabetic neuropathy and other reasons for numbness), massage is indispensable. You can see the skin color changes.
Needless to say, you don't want deep bodywork for this, but a gentler, slower approach. My husband's complete "workout" consisting of all of the above, takes >2h daily, in bed.