Effect of Short-duration Hand Massage on Relaxation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relaxation effects of hand massage for a period of 10 min using physiological (heart rate variability, heart rate, and salivary amylase) and psychological (Profile of Mood States [POMS] and Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) indices. Twenty-one healthy female college students were included in the study. Baseline physiological indices were obtained at 5 min of rest before hand massage was performed. As a result of heart rate variability, the sympathetic nerve activity index LF/HF significantly decreased during the first 5 minutes of hand massage.Heart rate was also significantly lower at 10 min of hand massage and at 5 min of rest after hand massage. Psychological indicators were compared before and after hand massage. POMS showed that all measures of negative mood state decreased significantly after hand massage. VAS values increased significantly in the direction of relaxation after hand massage was performed. It is clear that hand massage provides relaxation effects based on physiological and psychological indices in a short time.