Effects of a Relaxation Chair for Stress Relief in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Study

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the physiological and psychological effects of a recently manufactured relaxation chair in healthy adults. This study performed a randomized crossover-controlled trial. I compared two chairs, the relaxation chair and a normal chair as the control condition. Twenty young male adults participated in this study. Results showed that immunoglobulin A, an indicator of anti-stress activity, increased significantly after sitting on the relaxation chair (P<0.05), although the CgA was not significantly different among the four conditions of both chairs. Additionally, each Profile of Mood States score of Anger-Hostility, Confusion-Bewilderment, Tension-Anxiety, and the Total Mood Disturbance subscales decreased significantly, showing the greatest decrease after participants sat on the relaxation chair (P<0.05). Furthermore, the visual analogue scale score for comfort increased significantly after sitting on the relaxation chair, compared to the other three conditions, respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the state anxiety scores significantly decreased after sitting on the relaxation chair (P<0.05) among the four conditions, and the trait anxiety scores significantly decreased after sitting on the relaxation chair, related to each pre-condition of both chairs (P<0.05). These results indicate that sitting on the relaxation chair can temporarily alleviate physical and psychological stress in healthy adults.