Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological and psychological effectiveness of hand massages on female university students. We compared the difference in effectiveness of hand massages of short durations, such as 5 and 10 minutes. We randomly assigned 23 students each to receive a 5-minute and 10-minute massage, respectively.
Additionally, we investigated the participants’ basic characteristics, and the physiological effects were measured by taking into account body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, α-amylase activity, high-frequency power (HF) , and ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power (LF/HF) both before and after the massage. Bodily and mental fatigue, stress, and relaxation were assessed using visual analog scales (VAS) , and mood was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) -Short Form.
After the massage, there was a significant decrease in pulse and systolic blood pressure in the 5-minute group and in pulse and diastolic blood pressure in the 10-minute group. However, all changes in numerical value were minimal.
In addition, bodily and mental fatigue and stress levels decreased significantly. Relaxation levels increased significantly in the 5-minute massage group. POMS scores revealed significantly lower “Tension-Anxiety” , “Depression” , “Anger-Hostility” , “Fatigue” , and “Confusion” following the 5-minute hand massage. “Tension-Anxiety” , “Vitality” and “Fatigue” were significantly lower following the 10-minute hand massage.
This study indicated that only the 5-minute hand massage had significant psychological effects. Thus, short hand massages of 5 minutes may be clinically useful in nursing.
