Effect of Traditional Japanese Massage, Anma Therapy on Body and Mind

A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Traditional Japanese massage, Anma therapy has a long history and popularity in Japan. It is known to maintain well-being, promote health, treat illness and prevent disease empirically, however, it is difficult to find published studies. It is necessary to explore the mechanisms of traditional Japanese massage, Anma therapy scientifically, thus, this preliminary study was examined. In this study, three clients assigned to the Anma therapy group participated in five Anma therapy sessions (two per week for two and a half consecutive weeks) of 40 minutes duration. Three healthy volunteer students assigned to a non-intervention group participated in one session involving rest on a bed. Immediate changes between pre- and post-therapy, and longer-term changes between first and last session were observed. In the results, for the Anma therapy group immediate changes were lower subjective symptom and state anxiety scores, with general longer-term effects. Another immediate change in the Anma therapy group was an increase in secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva, but salivary cortisol concentrations did not change. These results suggest that Anma therapy may be physically and psychologically effective in ameliorating subjective symptoms and anxiety, and enhancing immune function, though sample sizes used were too small to analyze statistically. In addition, the result from salivary cortisol concentration implies that effect of Anma therapy is different from that of Western style massage.