Effects of mechanical-bed massage on exercise-induced back fatigue in athletes.

[Purpose] The study aimed to preliminarily investigate the effects of mechanical-bed massage on exercise-induced back fatigue in athletes. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve male college athletes, randomly allocated to experimental or control groups, were instructed to perform reverse sit-up for 8 sessions until they became fatigued. The experimental group received a 20-min mechanical-bed massage session, while the control group rested on a bed for the same period of time. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on perceived back muscle fatigue, back muscle endurance, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters including stress index (SI), HRV index, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, LF, HF, and LF/HF were analyzed. [Results] Immediately and 24 hours after the intervention, the VAS significantly differed between the groups. Experimental group's HF was significantly higher immediately after the intervention than control group. Experimental group's LF and LF/HF were significantly lower immediately after the intervention than the control group. [Conclusion] Mechanical bed massage may help athletes overcome the subjective feelings of exercise-induced fatigue, modulate the automatic nervous system activity, especially for balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. Therefore, mechanical bed massage may facilitate recovery from muscle and central fatigue after athlete training or competition.

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.

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.

Acute effects of traditional Thai massage on electroencephalogram in patients with scapulocostal syndrome.

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). DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: The School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. INTERVENTION: 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. OUTCOMES: 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. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that TTM provides acute neural effects that increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and pain intensity in patients with SCS.

Therapeutic effects of traditional Thai massage on pain, muscle tension and anxiety in patients with scapulocostal syndrome: a randomized single-blinded pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), muscle tension and anxiety associated with scapulocostal syndrome (SCS). Twenty patients were randomly allocated to receive a 30-min session of either TTM or physical therapy modalities (PT: ultrasound therapy and hot pack) for 9 sessions over a period of 3 weeks. Pain intensity, PPT, muscle tension and anxiety were measured before and immediately after the first treatment session, 1 day after the last treatment session and 2 weeks after the last treatment session. Results indicated that the TTM group showed a significant improvement in all parameters after the first treatment session and at 1 day and 2 weeks after the last treatment session (p < 0.05). For all outcomes, similar changes were observed in the PT group except for PPT (p < 0.05). The adjusted post-test mean values of each assessment time point for pain intensity and muscle tension were significantly lower in the TTM group than those of the PT group (p < 0.01). In addition, the values for PPT were significantly higher in the TTM group (p > 0.05). We therefore suggest that TTM could be an alternative treatment for the patient with SCS.

The immediate effects of traditional Thai massage on heart rate variability and stress-related parameters in patients with back pain associated with myofascial trigger points.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) on stress-related parameters including heart rate variability (HRV), anxiety, muscle tension, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and body flexibility in patients with back pain associated with myofascial trigger points. Thirty-six patients were randomly allocated to receive a 30-min session of either TTM or control (rest on bed) for one session. Results indicated that TTM was associated with significant increases in HRV (increased total power frequency (TPF) and high frequency (HF)), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and body flexibility (p<0.05) and significant decreases in self-reported pain intensity, anxiety and muscle tension (p<0.001). For all outcomes, similar changes were not observed in the control group. The adjusted post-test mean values for TPF, HF, PPT and body flexibility were significantly higher in the TTM group when compared with the control group (p<0.01) and the values for pain intensity, anxiety and muscle tension were significantly lower. We conclude that TTM can increase HRV and improve stress-related parameters in this patient population.

Co-risk factors for HPV infection in Northeastern Thai women with cervical carcinoma.

HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer; however, factors that promote and maintain HPV infection are still unclear. This study was designed to search for factors responsible for the HPV infection in Northeastern Thai women. A total of 190 volunteers with a normal histopathologic appearance of cervix as controls (n=100) and with squamous cell cervical carcinoma (SCCA) (n=90) were the subjects. Variables of risk factors including sexual behaviors, history of reproduction, history of sexually transmitted diseases and smoking were conducted with self-report and direct interview. Number of sexual partners and smoking history increased the likelihood of high-risk HPV infection. Multiple sexual partners showed significantly higher 3.94-fold risk for HPV infection (95% CI = 1.82-8.82, p-value<0.001). Smoking history of partner increased the risk for HPV infection 3.03-fold (95%CI=1.42-6.58, p-value< 0.002). After OR were adjusted, significant difference was still observed in the number of sexual partners (p-value <0.0001) and smoking history of the partner (p-value<0.005). To decrease the incidence of cervical cancer, we should prevent HPV dissemination and be on the alert for having multiple sexual partners and a partner's smoking habit, which must be included in our public health planning.