Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Daytime napping is used as a strategy to complement insufficient night-time sleep and improve daytime mental and physical performance. Massage can play a crucial role in promoting relaxation and wellness at various settings including the work place. The purpose of the present stu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05022-6 |
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| author | Ilias Ntoumas Christina Karatzaferi Fotini Boubougiatzi Nefeli Manakou Artemis Aslanidi Christoforos D. Giannaki Fotini Papanikolaou Efthimios Dardiotis Eleftherios Lavdas Giorgos K. Sakkas |
| author_facet | Ilias Ntoumas Christina Karatzaferi Fotini Boubougiatzi Nefeli Manakou Artemis Aslanidi Christoforos D. Giannaki Fotini Papanikolaou Efthimios Dardiotis Eleftherios Lavdas Giorgos K. Sakkas |
| author_sort | Ilias Ntoumas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Daytime napping is used as a strategy to complement insufficient night-time sleep and improve daytime mental and physical performance. Massage can play a crucial role in promoting relaxation and wellness at various settings including the work place. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different types of manual massage sessions on day-time napping in poor sleepers. Methods This was a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled, three arm, interventional clinical trial. Fifteen participants (aged 21.6 ± 1.3 years) participated in three different conditions over one week apart: 1) 30-min Sports massage condition (ACT), 2) 30-min Relaxation massage condition (REL) and 3) control condition with no massage. Brain activity was monitored using a polysomnography EEG system, while vitals and relaxation/stress state were assessed by validated questionnaires and functional tests. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score > 5 was used as cut off for distinguishing poor sleeper. Results Results showed significant differences between the three conditions, with muscle tone to be reduced by 7.2% after ACT session (p = 0.000) and relaxation scores to be increased by 23.4% after REL session (p = 0.008). In addition, Sleep Latency N1 was improved only after the REL session compared to other two conditions (p = 0.037). Conclusions In conclusion, massage can positively impact the quality and quantity of daytime napping and may serve as a complementary intervention to enhance mental well-being, reduce work related stress, improve performance and promote overall a healthier living. Trial registration Retrospectively registered (registration date: 16/01/2025; trial registration number at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06780072). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8754007e7e64a3db744d09d1b3eae02 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-7671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8754007e7e64a3db744d09d1b3eae022025-08-20T04:01:47ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-07-0125111110.1186/s12906-025-05022-6Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trialIlias Ntoumas0Christina Karatzaferi1Fotini Boubougiatzi2Nefeli Manakou3Artemis Aslanidi4Christoforos D. Giannaki5Fotini Papanikolaou6Efthimios Dardiotis7Eleftherios Lavdas8Giorgos K. Sakkas9Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of NicosiaDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of ThessalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of West AtticaDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Science, School of Physical Education, Sports and Dietetics, University of ThessalyAbstract Background Daytime napping is used as a strategy to complement insufficient night-time sleep and improve daytime mental and physical performance. Massage can play a crucial role in promoting relaxation and wellness at various settings including the work place. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different types of manual massage sessions on day-time napping in poor sleepers. Methods This was a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled, three arm, interventional clinical trial. Fifteen participants (aged 21.6 ± 1.3 years) participated in three different conditions over one week apart: 1) 30-min Sports massage condition (ACT), 2) 30-min Relaxation massage condition (REL) and 3) control condition with no massage. Brain activity was monitored using a polysomnography EEG system, while vitals and relaxation/stress state were assessed by validated questionnaires and functional tests. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score > 5 was used as cut off for distinguishing poor sleeper. Results Results showed significant differences between the three conditions, with muscle tone to be reduced by 7.2% after ACT session (p = 0.000) and relaxation scores to be increased by 23.4% after REL session (p = 0.008). In addition, Sleep Latency N1 was improved only after the REL session compared to other two conditions (p = 0.037). Conclusions In conclusion, massage can positively impact the quality and quantity of daytime napping and may serve as a complementary intervention to enhance mental well-being, reduce work related stress, improve performance and promote overall a healthier living. Trial registration Retrospectively registered (registration date: 16/01/2025; trial registration number at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06780072).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05022-6Sports massageRelaxation massageEEGRSQHandgrip |
| spellingShingle | Ilias Ntoumas Christina Karatzaferi Fotini Boubougiatzi Nefeli Manakou Artemis Aslanidi Christoforos D. Giannaki Fotini Papanikolaou Efthimios Dardiotis Eleftherios Lavdas Giorgos K. Sakkas Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Sports massage Relaxation massage EEG RSQ Handgrip |
| title | Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | massage positively influences daytime brain activity and reduces arousal state in poor sleepers a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Sports massage Relaxation massage EEG RSQ Handgrip |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05022-6 |
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