title: Acute effects of traditional Thai massage on electroencephalogram in patients with scapulocostal syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate acute effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on brain electrical activity (electroencephalogram (EEG) signals), anxiety and pain in patients with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blind, randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients, who were diagnosed with SCS, were randomly allocated to receive a 30-min session of either TTM or physical therapy (PT) using ultrasound therapy and hot packs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Electroencephalogram (EEG), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and pain intensity rating.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that both TTM and PT were associated with significant decreases in anxiety and pain intensity (p<0.01). However, there was a significantly greater reduction in anxiety and pain intensity for the TTM group when compared with the PT group. Analysis of EEG in the TTM group showed a significant increase in relaxation, manifested as an increase in delta activity (p<0.05) and a decrease in theta, alpha and beta activity (p<0.01). Similar changes were not found in the PT group. The EEG measures were also significantly different when compared between the groups (p<0.01), except for delta activity (p=0.051), indicating lower states of arousal with the TTM treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that TTM provides acute neural effects that increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and pain intensity in patients with SCS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors.forename: Vitsarut
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Buttagat
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eungpinichpong
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaber
authors.forename: Uraiwon
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chatchawan
authors.forename: Preeda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arayawichanon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007366:Intercostal Muscles; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012063:Relaxation; D012540:Scapula; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult