Sleep problem or insomnia is one of the most common causes of health problems, affecting around 10 - 20 % of the world population. Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a popular alternative treatment in Thailand for reducing fatigue and improving sleep quality. This study aimed to examine the effect of traditional Thai massage on sleep quality in adults. Twenty-eight adults with poor sleep quality (based on Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale) participated. They were randomly allocated into a control group (n = 14) and a TTM group (n = 14). Participants in the TTM group received three 90-min whole body traditional Thai massage sessions within one week, whereas the control group participants maintained their daily lives. Quality of sleep was assessed before and a day after the massage sessions. The outcome measure was the Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale. The within-group data was analyzed by Paired t-test, whereas ANCOVA did the between-group data. The results showed that the participants in the TTM group had significantly decreased score of sleep disturbance (31.63 ± 2.95 vs 45.47 ± 3.24, p < 0.001) and increased the effectiveness score (70.73 ± 7.33 vs 53.47 ± 4.23, p < 0.001) after the last session of massage as compared to those of the control group. We conclude that TTM could significantly improve sleep quality without any adverse effects. HIGHLIGHTS The overall prevalence of insomnia in Thai adults was 40.8 % and is commonly found in the Thai population Sleep quality was associated with all the academic performance in adolescents and cognitive function in adults Traditional Thai massage could significantly improve sleep quality without any adverse effects Since this treatment is generally safe and comfortable, it could be used as an alternative therapy to treat people with sleep problems GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Major Depressive Disorder has been predicted asthe second leading cause of death and disability by the year 2020. Massage is the most popular complementary and alternative medical treatment for depression. It is likely to effectively reduce anxiety. This study aimed to preliminarily examine the immediate effects of Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) on heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety on patients with depression. The study was conducted at a district hospital, and 5 Local Health Promoting Hospitals in Khon Kaen province, Thailand. A single group pre-post design was applied. Fifteen patients diagnosed with depression participated in the study. Before and immediately after the intervention, blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety state (using the state trait anxiety inventory; STAI) were measured. The results demonstrated a significant reduction on heart rate (mean different 5.57±4.80 bpm: p=0.001), and STAI after receiving TTM (mean score different 38.47±5.51: p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was found in blood pressure (p=0.12). TTM seems to have some beneficial immediate effects on patients with depression concerning reducing heart rate, and anxiety. A further study using randomized controlled trial with larger sample size and long-term follow-up is suggested to verify the effects.
Major Depressive Disorder is one of the major mental health problems that affect the quality of life of the patients. The reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and elevated heart rate that associated with depression have been found as risk factors for cardiac mobility and mortality. These patients should be assessed regularly on HRV parameters and compare with those of normal subjects. This study aimed to compare heart rate variability between patients with the major depressive disorder and normal subjects. This study was conducted at a psychiatric department in Khon Kaen University, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen province, Thailand. A cross-sectional analytic study design was used. Forty patients diagnosed with the major depressive disorder (who had been treated with antidepressants) were matched according to age, gender with 40 normal subjects participated. They were assessed on HRV for time domain (standard deviation normal to normal: SDNN, and the root mean square of successive differences: RMSSD) and frequency domain (High frequency: HF, low frequency: LF, and LF/HF ratio) using SA 3000P Digital. The results showed that The HRV in the patients and in the normal subjects were found with SDNN 28. 60, 31.44; RMSSD 23.78, 26.73; HF 4.70, 5.04; LF 4.46, 5.01; and LF/HF 1.16, 1.35 respectively. However, No significant difference in the HRV variables between MDD and normal subjects except LF. Findings of this study show that HRV in the treated patients with major depressive disorder seems to be a little lower than the normal subjects. This may be due to the effects of well treated with antidepressants. It is suggested that HRV may be one of the outcome measures for this patient population.
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