Positive psychological effects of seated acupressure massage are associated with a rise in plasma oxytocin without affecting CGRP levels or circulating IL-6

• Published in: Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology (Online) 2024-02, Vol.17, p.100220-100220, Article 100220
• Main Authors: Fricker, Florentine, Barbotte, Marie-Virginie, Pallot, Gaétan, Radoua, Nouhaila, Sorci, Gabriele, Heitz, Marie, Brison, Grégory, Sales-Vuillemin, Edith, Connat, Jean-Louis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amma-massage; Cardiovascular; CGRP; Cortisol; Endocrinology and metabolism; Human health and pathology; IL-6; Life Sciences; Neurons and Cognition; Oxytocin; Psychology and behavior; Tissues and Organs
• ISSN: 2666-4976; 2666-4976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100220

Work-related stress is a major public health issue. Given the relationship between acute stress responses and health, finding strategies to deal with the unpleasant symptoms brought on by stress is essential. Massage therapy is a popular stress-reduction technique, but its effectiveness has yet to be shown. In that matter, this study investigates the effects of a 17-minute session of seated Amma massage on young healthy people. Subjective stress perception, anxiety and self-confidence were assessed before and after the massage using the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale (STAI-Y, Spielberger et al., 1983) and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (EEAC, Cury et al., 1999), together with cardiovascular parameters. Cortisol, CGRP, IL-6, and oxytocin plasma levels were measured before and after the massage to investigate its possible mode of action. This study enrolled 59 people: 33 receiving the massage, and 26 controls only seated on the massage chair. Interaction Time x Group demonstrates significant differences for all psychological measurements (STAI, EEAC) before and after the Amma massage, showing a beneficial effect of this treatment, in particular on perceived anxiety and self-confidence. No evidence was found of any correlation between cortisol plasma levels and psychological outcomes. No relationship was shown between the decrease of perceived stress and measured CGRP or IL-6 release, but the data demonstrated that heart frequency could be slightly decreased. The oxytocin plasma levels were significantly increased by the massage and could be responsible for the recovery of psychological outcomes. We conclude that seated acupressure Amma massage could be a useful tool to ameliorate quality of life at work. •Our results demonstrate a beneficial effect of a single 17-minute Amma massage on psychological parameters of young people.•Perceived stress and anxiety scores are decreased and self-confidence scores improved after the massage.•Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure seem to be decreased but CGRP is not released in sufficient amount to conclude about its role.•Cortisol and IL-6 plasma levels remain unchanged in the massage group.•Oxytocin plasma levels were significantly increased by the massage and could be responsible for the recovery of psychological outcomes.