The effects measurement of hand massage by the autonomic activity and psychological indicators

Abstract

This study examined the effects of hand massage on autonomic activity, anxiety, relaxation and sense of affinity by performing it to healthy people before applying the technic in actual clinical practice. Findings were showed below: 1) the significant increase in the pNN50 and the significant decrease in the heart rate meant the intervention of massage increased the autonomic nervous activity, improved the parasympathetic nerve activity and reduced the sympathetic nerve activity. This means the subjects were considered to be in a state of relaxation. 2) Salivary α amylase has been reported as a possible indicator for sympathetic nerve activity. In this study, there was no significant difference in the salivary α amylase despite a decrease after massage. 3) State anxiety score is temporal situational reactions while being in the state of anxiety and this score decreased significantly after massage. 4) The level of willingness to communicate with other person and the sense of affinity toward the massage-performer had a positive change of 70 percent. From this, it can be considered that a comfortable physical contact between a patient and a nursing profession, who are in a supported-supportive relationship, leads to an effect of shortening the gap in their psychological distance.

Effects of Different Duration of Traditional Thai Massage on Parasympathetic Nervous System

“…Also, decreased sympathetic activity was indicated by decreased stress index and increased stress resistance. The results of this study were consistent with the previous studies [4], [10], [11], [19]. They found 20 minutes of light pressure of hand massage, a 30-minute session of TTM on to the back muscles, 80 minutes of touch massage (stroking) of the hands and feet, and a 5-minute hand holding could increase parasympathetic activity and decrease sympathetic activity, respectively.…”

“…Many previous studies found that massage could increase skin temperature and blood flow [1]- [3], decrease anxiety [4]- [7], depression [7] and pain, improve sleep quality [5], [8], increase renal blood flow [9], decrease sympathetic nervous activity and increase parasympathetic activity [10]- [11] and weight gain in infant [12] and decrease cortisol levels [10], [13], and stress [14]- [15].…”

Effectiveness of Chinese Hand Massage on Anxiety Among Patients Awaiting Coronary Angiography

“…42,43 The possible mechanism might be that Chinese hand massage improves the parasympathetic nerve activity and reduces the sympathetic nervous activity and decreases the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine. 44,45 The results of this trial also showed the anxiety symptoms at post-angiography were significantly lower than pre-angiography regardless of the Chinese hand massage group or control group, probably reason related to spontaneous decrease of anxiety with completing of angiography. For the secondary outcomes, no significant changes were observed on BP, heart rate, and SF-36 after Chinese hand massage, probably due to the short intervention duration (only 3 days) in this study.…”

Heart Rate Variability During Monochord-Induced Relaxation in Female Patients With Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

“…Although this measure is used primarily for diagnostic classification purposes, recent studies suggest modulations of pNN50 by a different relaxation treatment. 38 The results of this study-in particular regarding the induction of relaxation by listening to MC sounds-can indicate a state of relaxation in the psychological and physiological activities like other similar relaxation states. On the basis of the increase in LF power, HF power, LF:HF ratio, and pNN50, the state of relaxation caused by listening to MC sounds is not exactly comparable with other states of meditation, anesthesia, or relaxation, even though there is some similarity.…”