Stress-relieving effects of short-term balneotherapy - a randomized controlled pilot study in healthy adults.
Forsch Komplementmed
; 21(2): 105-10, 2014.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24851847
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Stress-relieving effects of balneotherapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and to resting were investigated by measuring subjective relaxation and salivary cortisol. It was also examined whether participants with a high versus low stress level would have a different relaxation response.METHODS:
A sample of healthy volunteers was randomized to balneotherapy, PMR, or a resting control group, each intervention lasting for 25 min. Pre- and post-intervention salivary cortisol samples were collected, and participants rated their status of relaxation on a quantitative scale. In addition, 3 questionnaires were applied to detect participants' stress level and bodily complaints.RESULTS:
49 healthy participants were recruited (65.3% female). In a pre-post comparison, salivary cortisol decreased (F = 23.53, p < 0.001) and subjective relaxation ratings increased (F = 132.18, p < 0.001) in all 3 groups. Study participants in the balneotherapy group rated themselves as more relaxed after the intervention as compared to the other groups (F = 5.22, p < 0.009). Participants with a high versus low stress level differed in somatic symptoms and in morning cortisol levels, but showed a similar relaxation response.CONCLUSION:
Findings suggest that compared to PMR and resting, balneotherapy seems to be more beneficial with regard to subjective relaxation effects and similarly beneficial with regard to a decrease in salivary cortisol.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Estrés Psicológico
/
Balneología
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Terapia por Relajación
/
Relajación Muscular
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Forsch Komplementmed
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Austria