Change in salivary physiological stress markers by spa bathing

Abstract

We assessed the stress relief effect of spa bathing by measuring sensitive salivary stress markers, cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA). From 12 healthy males, saliva samples were collected immediately before and after spa bathing, and 30 min after that. Salivary cortisol and CgA levels were determined by ELISA. Salivary cortisol levels decreased after spa bathing. This tendency was more pronounced in individuals with higher levels of stress. The high-stress group showed lower salivary CgA levels after spa bathing, while the low-stress group higher salivary CgA levels in the same condition. These findings suggest that the spa bathing has a moderate affect on the stress relief.Subjectively, spa bathing seems to relieve stress. Bathers usually experience a sense of well-being and relaxation during spa bathing. The stress-relieving effects of spa bathing, however, have not yet been scientifically established and are still anecdotal. Many studies on the physiological effects of sauna bathing have been conducted. Reports show that the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, growth hormone and prolactin, increases during sauna bathing (5,(8)(9)(10)(11). Effects on the sympathetic-adrenomedullary system have also been established. While noradrenaline concentrations increase after sauna bathing (3,5,6,8,9), adrenaline levels change less consistently (8, 9). Meanwhile, results showing the effects of sauna bathing on the pituitary-adrenocortical axis (secretion of ACTH and cortisol) have also been inconsistent (4,5,8,9,11

Effect of laughter on salivary endocrinological stress marker chromogranin A

“…4). Furthermore, in recent studies, we found that moderate stress (eu-stress) such as short leisure trips, spa bathing, or coffee intake significantly increases salivary CgA levels (14,16,17), suggesting that CgA may be a good index of eu-stress. When results were analyzed according to GHQ-28 scores, only the low-score group showed a significant increase in CgA levels after watching the comic film (Fig.…”

“…This finding is also in line with results from our previous studies. Increased CgA levels during short leisure trips or associated with spa bathing were more pronounced in people reporting low initial levels of stress (14,16). Furthermore, increased CgA levels after coffee intake were found in healthy women, but were not found in pregnant women, who scored high for stress (17).…”

Oral treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine reduces anxiety and basal cortisol levels in healthy humans

“…Before the start of the treatment, all subjects responded at 10 : 00 am to the trait part of the STAI (36). The basal salivary levels of cortisol and chromogranin-A were also obtained, as described before (14,21,30,39). Briefly, cotton wads (Sarstedt Co., Ltd., Numbrecht, Germany) held for 2 min in the mouth of the subjects were used for collection of saliva, which was then extracted by centrifuging (3,000 rpm, 15 min) and stored at −80°C until being assayed.…”

“…The salivary cortisol and chromogranin-A were analyzed by Yanaihara Institute Inc. (Shizuoka, Japan) using previously described methods (14,34,39). Computerized randomization of the subjects was based on the results of the trait inventory.…”

Relieving Occupational Fatigue by Consumption of a Beverage Containing γ-Amino Butyric Acid

“…Many studies have been performed to measure a variety of stresses in humans: stress-relief effects of spa bathing ( 29 ), effects of laughter ( 30 ), and effects of administration of certain amino acids ( 31 ).…”