The Effects of Heat and Massage Application on Autonomic Nervous System.
10.3349/ymj.2011.52.6.982
- Author:
Young Hee LEE
1
;
Bit Na Ri PARK
;
Sung Hoon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. kimrehab@yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Heat;
massage;
stress
- MeSH:
Autonomic Nervous System/*physiopathology;
Female;
Heart Rate/*physiology;
Hot Temperature/adverse effects/*therapeutic use;
Humans;
Hydrocortisone/blood;
Male;
Massage/adverse effects/*methods;
Norepinephrine/blood
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2011;52(6):982-989
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of heat and massage application on autonomic nervous system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine subjects volunteered and completed this study. Heat and massage was daily applied for 40 minutes, 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Primary-dependent measures included heart rate variability, sympathetic skin response, and serum cortisol and norepinephrine levels. RESULTS: Serum cortisol levels were significantly decreased at 2 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.003). Plasma norepinephrine levels at 4 weeks were significantly decreased compared to baseline (p=0.010). Heart rate, using the power spectra, increased significantly after 2 weeks compared to baseline. Of autonomic nerve conduction measures, latency was significantly increased at 2 and 4 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.023, 0.012), and amplitude was significantly decreased at 4 weeks compared to baseline (p=0.008). There were no serious adverse events such as burns or other major complications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that heat and massage applications provide relaxation to the autonomic nervous system without serious adverse events.
