title: Acute effects of traditional Thai massage on cortisol levels, arterial blood pressure and stress perception in academic stress condition: A single blind randomised controlled trial.
abstract: Traditional Thai massage (TTM) has been applied widely to promote relaxation. However, there is little evidence to support its efficacy on academic stress. A randomised controlled trial was performed to examine the acute effects of TTM on cortisol level, blood pressure, heart rate and stress perception in academic stress. This prospective trial included 36 physiotherapy students with a self perceived stress score of between 3 and 5. They were randomly allocated into the TTM (18 people) group or the control group (18 people). Saliva cortisol level, blood pressure, heart rate and stress perception rating were measured before and after the intervention. Both groups showed a significant reduction in cortisol level and heart rate when compared with baseline (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in cortisol level between the two groups. The results suggest the need for further study into other possible physiological effects on stress of TTM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Research Centre in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: surmac@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Surussawadi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research, Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research, Mailpoint 218, D Level, West Wing, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. Electronic address: Michael.bennett@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Michael John
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Research Centre in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: pomuraiwon67@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Uraiwon
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Chatchawan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: patcha_j@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Patcharaporn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenjaiwit
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Research Centre in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: rungthiprt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rungthip
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pantumethakul
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology Department, Srinakarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: sookun@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Soontorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kunhasura
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Research Centre in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. Electronic address: wiceun@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Wichai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eungpinichpong
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Academic stress; Blood pressure; Heart rate; Saliva cortisol hormone; Traditional Thai massage