Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
SHR Neuro Krebs Kardio Lipid Stoffw Microb
Matzer, F; Nagele, E; Bahadori, B; Dam, K; Fazekas, C.
Stress-relieving effects of short-term balneotherapy - a randomized controlled pilot study in healthy adults.
Forsch Komplementmed. 2014; 21(2):105-110
Doi: 10.1159/000360966
Web of Science
PubMed
FullText
FullText_MUG
- Führende Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Matzer Franziska
- Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Fazekas Christian
- Nagele Eva Helene
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- Abstract:
- Stress-relieving effects of balneotherapy compared to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and to resting were investigated by measuring subjective relaxation and salivary cortisol. It was also examined whether participants with a high versus low stress level would have a different relaxation response. A sample of healthy volunteers was randomized to balneotherapy, PMR, or a resting control group, each intervention lasting for 25 min. Pre- and post-intervention salivary cortisol samples were collected, and participants rated their status of relaxation on a quantitative scale. In addition, 3 questionnaires were applied to detect participants' stress level and bodily complaints. 49 healthy participants were recruited (65.3% female). In a pre-post comparison, salivary cortisol decreased (F = 23.53, p < 0.001) and subjective relaxation ratings increased (F = 132.18, p < 0.001) in all 3 groups. Study participants in the balneotherapy group rated themselves as more relaxed after the intervention as compared to the other groups (F = 5.22, p < 0.009). Participants with a high versus low stress level differed in somatic symptoms and in morning cortisol levels, but showed a similar relaxation response. Findings suggest that compared to PMR and resting, balneotherapy seems to be more beneficial with regard to subjective relaxation effects and similarly beneficial with regard to a decrease in salivary cortisol. © 2014 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Adult -
- Arousal - physiology
- Balneology - methods
- Female -
- Humans -
- Hydrocortisone - blood
- Male -
- Middle Aged -
- Muscle Relaxation - physiology
- Pilot Projects -
- Relaxation Therapy -
- Saliva - chemistry
- Stress, Psychological - physiopathology
- Stress, Psychological - therapy
- Surveys and Questionnaires -
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Balneotherapy
- Stress
- Relaxation
- Salivary cortisol