Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baek, Ji Yeon; Lee, Eunju; Gil, Bora; Jung, Hee-Won; Jang, Il-Young
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in medicine. Volume 66(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: BEPSI-K brief encounter psychosocial instrument -- DHEA-S dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate -- ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate -- EQ-5D-5L EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels -- EQ-VAS EuroQol-Visual Analog Scale -- hsCRP high sensitivity C-reactive protein -- HPA hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal -- IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor -- IFN-γ interferon gamma -- NK natural killer -- PRO patient-reported outcome -- RIA radioimmunoassay -- RCT randomized controlled trial -- SGDS-K short form of the geriatric depression scale; Massage chair -- Cortisol -- Stress hormone; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; Médecines parallèles -- Périodiques; Thérapeutique -- Périodiques; Alternative medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2299

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Since the clinical benefits of a massage chair have not been fully elucidated, we aimed to assess the effects of the long-term use of a massage chair on stress measures in adults. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Community. Interventions In total, 80 adults aged 50–75 years were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=41) and control group (n=39). The intervention group used the massage chair twice a day for 6 months. The control group was educated about lifestyle modification. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the change in serum cortisol levels in the morning (8 a.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m.), and the secondary outcomes included changes in levels of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), serotonin, insulin-like growth factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and natural killer cell activity, and results from a questionnaire on mood, cognition, and quality of life. Results: The use of the massage chair was associated with a decreasing trend in serum cortisol levels at 1 p.m. (-2.68 ug/dL, p = 0.059). Serum DHEA-S levels significantly decreased with the intervention (-9.66 ug/dL, p = 0.003). In addition, the perceived rate of depression and health status considerably improved following the intervention. Conclusions: Chronic stress in adults could be effectively managed using a massage chair. Highlights: This is the first study to report the effect of massage chair on the stress hormones through a randomized controlled trial. The use of massage chair was associated with a decreased level of serum cortisol and DHEA-S. Perceived rate of health status and depression was improved after using massage chair for 6 months. Using massage chair might be an effective way of managing chronic stress in older adults.