title: Immediate Effects of Traditional Thai Massage on Psychological Stress as Indicated by Salivary Alpha-Amylase Levels in Healthy Persons.
abstract: BACKGROUND Stress can cause psychological and physiological changes. Many studies revealed that massage can decrease stress. However, traditional Thai massage has not been well researched in this regard. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on salivary alpha-amylase levels (sAA), heart rate variability (HRV), autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, and plasma renin activity (PRA). MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-nine healthy participants were randomly allocated into either a traditional Thai massage (TTM) group or Control (C) group, after which they were switched to the other group with a 2-week wash-out period. Each of them was given a 10-minute mental arithmetic test to induce psychological stress before a 1-hour session of TTM or rest. RESULTS Within-groups comparison revealed that sAA was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the TTM group but not in the C group. HRV and ANS function were significantly increased (p<0.05) and PRA was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in both groups. However, low frequency per high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio) and ANS balance status were not changed. Only sAA was found to be significantly different between groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that both TTM and rest can reduce psychological stress, as indicated by decreased sAA levels, increased parasympathetic activity, decreased sympathetic activity, and decreased PRA. However, TTM may have a modest effect on stress reduction as indicated by a reduced sAA.
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sport Sciences Program, Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Thanarat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sripongngam
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eungpinichpong
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Amphoe Mueang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Dhavee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sirivongs
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jaturat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanpittaya
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kamonwan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tangvoraphonkchai
authors.affiliation: Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sutin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chanaboon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D012083:Renin