Influence of neck and back massage on the synchronicity of electrical brain activity

Abstract

Due to busy working or learning schedules, people spend a lot of time in a sitting, motionless position, which could cause tension neck syndrome and promote other harmful consequences. Massage has been used for health support for many decades. However, there are a lot of different types of massages with different physiological effects, and our knowledge remains pure regarding the biological mechanisms of massage benefits. The question of the influence of massage on functional brain state attracts scientific interest as massage is an available and attractive health-supporting tool. Particular types of massage had been found to reduce frontal brain activity, but others were associated with the activation of certain brain regions. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of combined general and point massage of the cervical-collar area on the electrical activity of the brain in terms of its synchronicity in healthy young subjects. Through cross-correlation analysis of EEG before and after massage, we found that massage of the cervical-collar area increased the synchronicity of electrical activity between the central and frontal regions during resting state with closed eyes and decreased the synchronicity between the central and occipital brain areas during resting state with opened eyes, which allows us to suggest that this type of massage optimizes functional brain state.