An Exploratory Study of Neurohormonal Responses of Healthy Men to Massage
- 1 May 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Vol. 14 (4), 387-394
- https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2007.0660
Abstract
Objective: This research examined the relationship between plasma oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP), cortisol, and anxiety before, during, and after a massage in healthy adult men. Design: A randomized, controlled, crossover, repeated-measures, prospective experimental design with subjects acting as their own controls was used. Setting: The research was conducted at a Midwestern University. Subjects: Fourteen (14) healthy men between the ages of 19 and 45 years of age were randomly assigned to the order of two conditions: a 20-minute massage (experimental condition) or a 20-minute reading period (control condition). Methods: Blood samples were collected at time intervals during each data collection session. Plasma OT, AVP, and cortisol levels were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and autonomic measures were recorded pre- and postcondition. Results: Both experimental (massage) and control (reading) conditions elicited a significant increase in plasma OT levels (p < 0.05) and a decrease in SAI score (p < 0.05) from pre- to postintervention. A significant positive correlation was detected between plasma AVP and plasma cortisol (r = 0.63, n = 24, p = 0.001) in the massage group, whereas a significant positive correlation between plasma AVP and the SAI (r = 0.47, n = 25, p = 0.016) was observed in the reading group. No significant differences were observed for the autonomic measures between conditions. Conclusions: The finding that plasma OT levels increased in both the massage and reading groups, suggests that tactile stimulus is not necessary for OT release. The results suggest that another unknown factor associated with reduction of anxiety may be involved.Keywords
This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit:
- Oxytocin is associated with human trustworthinessHormones and Behavior, 2005
- Oxytocinergic activity is linked to lower blood pressure and vascular resistance during stress in postmenopausal women on estrogen replacementHormones and Behavior, 2005
- Integrative Functions of Lactational Hormones in Social Behavior and Stress ManagementaAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1997
- High doses of oxytocin cause sedation and low doses cause an anxiolytic-like effect in male ratsPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 1994
- Suckling-Induced Attenuation of Plasma Cortisol Concentrations in Postpartum Lactating WomenEndocrine Research, 1994
- The development of a six‐item short‐form of the state scale of the Spielberger State—Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1992
- Relationship between Plasma Profiles of Oxytocin and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone during Suckling or Breast Stimulation in WomenHormone Research, 1991
- Central and peripheral effects of oxytocin administration in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 1990
- Maternally administered tactile, auditory, visual, and vestibular stimulation: Relationship to later interactions between mothers and premature infantsResearch in Nursing & Health, 1988
- Increased plasma levels of oxytocin in response to afferent electrical stimulation of the sciatic and vagal nerves and in response to touch and pinch in anaesthetized ratsActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1988