Improvement of Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbance in Nursing Home Residents by Aromatherapy Massage: A Preliminary Study / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We examined the effect of aromatherapy massage on the circadian rhythm in 8 elderly subjects in an open semi-comparative trial, comparing the parameters in the 2^nd week during which the aromatherapy massage sessions were performed, with 1-week periods (1^st and 3^rd weeks) before and after the sessions. Time spent asleep while in-bed and the sleep efficiency during the sleep time increased significantly in the 2^nd week compared with those in the 1^st and/or 3^rd weeks. A higher peak of the 24-h cycle circadian rhythm was noted following aromatherapy massage in elderly people, who often exhibit circadian rhythm disturbance. Furthermore, the peaks of the spectrum cycle in the 2^nd week were significantly closer to 24 h than those in the 1^st and 3^rd weeks. These results suggest that aromatherapy massage improves sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance.<br>

The Effects of Massage Therapy on the Immune, Hematological and Psychological State of Adult Subjects / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Objectives: To determine the effects of massage therapy on the immune and psychological state, and serum lipids levels.<br> Design: A non controlled trial with 32 subjects.<br> Setting: Kyoto Prefectural School for the Blind and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.<br> Subjects: 32 adults aged from 18 to 56 years (10 males; 22 females).<br> Interventions: One 25-min whole body massage.<br> Outcome Measures: Changes in peripheral blood levels of red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (Ht), white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, CD4+ lymphocytes, CD8+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, CD16+ lymphocytes, serum interferon-γ (IFN-γ), serum interleukin 6 (IL6), serum total cholesterol (T-CHO), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c); saliva secretory IgA (s-IgA); State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).<br> Results: Psychological measures; Both state and trait anxiety scores decreased significantly (p<0.001). Serum lipids; Significant hemodilution and significantly decreased levels of serum T-CHO, LDLc and HDLc (p<0.001) were observed. Immune measures; Significant decreases of neutrophils (p<0.05) and CD16-positive cell counts (p<0.01) were recognized.<br> Conclusions: It was suggested from our result in the present study that massage therapy is an effective relaxation/stress management technique which could reduce anxiety and modulate immune function.<br>

Attitudes of Medical Students Toward Oriental Medicine before and after Lecture Course / 日本東洋医学雑誌

In order to examine the attitudes of medical students toward oriental medicine before and after lecture course, self-administered questionnaires were given the medical students of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. Eighteen percent of the students had some experience with the prescription of Kampo medicine by doctors; 53% had used Kampo medicine purchased in pharmacies, and 13% had been treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Eighty-four percent of the students were interested in oriental medicine; 82% thought that oriental medicine was worth learning; 76% thought that oriental medicine was essential in contemporary medicine and 54% wanted to introduce oriental medicine into their clinical practice in the future. These percentages increased after the lecture course to 92%, 85%, 87% and 62%, respectively.