Tactile stimulus and neurohormonal response: a pilot study.
The effects of tactile stimuli on plasma oxytocin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were investigated in 21 volunteers exposed to massage. Blood samples for basal values were drawn immediately before and immediately after finishing the massage. A third sample was drawn after 60 min of restricted rest. On focusing on the difference between oxytocin concentrations before and immediately after massage, we found a sex difference. An opposite sex difference was found for NPY. The results imply that there might be sex-related difference in neurohormonal response to tactile stimuli such as in massage, and the results contradict those of previously reported animal experiments.
Wikström
S
S
Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Division of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. svewi@inr.liu.se
Gunnarsson
T
T
Nordin
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000097:blood*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012016:Reference Values; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D010121:Oxytocin