Changes in cerebral blood flow under the prone condition with and without massage.
To investigate changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) under the prone condition with and without light massage on the back, we measured rCBF quantitatively in healthy human subjects using positron emission tomography with H(2)15O. Biochemical tests showed that the light massage (palm-pressure) reduced levels of stress-related serum cortisol and salivary stress protein chromogranin-A measured after the PET examination. Absolute rCBF significantly increased in the parietal cortex (precuneus) under the prone condition compared with the supine condition, and this rCBF increase was in parallel with comfortable sensation and slowing heart rate during the massage. Correlation analysis in statistical parametric mapping showed that the amygdalar and basal forebrain rCBF correlated with parasympathetic function (heart rate reduction), indicating involvement of the forebrain-amygdala system in mediating activities in the autonomic nervous system in the presence of comfortable sensation. To conclude, prone posture itself can stimulate the precuneus region to raise awareness, and the light massage on the back may help accommodate the brain to comfortable stimulation.
Ouchi
Yasuomi
Y
Positron Medical Center, Hamamatsu Medical Center, 5000 Hirakuchi, Hamamatsu 434-0041, Japan. ouchi@pmc.hmedc.or.jp
Kanno
Toshihiko
T
Okada
Hiroyuki
H
Yoshikawa
Etsuji
E
Shinke
Tomomi
T
Nagasawa
Shingo
S
Minoda
Keiji
K
Doi
Hiroyuki
H
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D016684:Prone Position / Q000502:physiology*; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents