title: Physical and Psychological Effects of Head Treatment in the Supine Position Using Specialized Ayurveda-Based Techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the physical and psychological effects of head massage performed in the supine position using Ayurveda-based techniques (head treatment).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four healthy female students were included in the study. Using a crossover study design, the same participants were enrolled in both the head treatment intervention group and control group. There was an interval of 1 week or more between measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The physiologic indices measured included blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations (high frequency and low frequency/high frequency). The psychological markers measured included liveliness, depression, and boredom using the visual analogue scale method. State anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The parasympathetic nerve activity increased immediately after head treatment. Upon completion of head treatment, the parasympathetic nerve predominance tended to gradually ease. Head treatment boosted freshness and relieved anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that head treatment has a relaxing and refreshing effect and may be used to provide comfort.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murota
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwawaki
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Human Care, Teikyo Heisei University , Tokyo, Japan .
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uebaba
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Yukie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takishita
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Kiyomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Narumoto
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto, Japan .
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult