A Research for evaluation on stress change via thermotherapy and massage

In this research, a device, which has a thermotherapic and massaging function and relaxes muscles, was used to evaluate the effect muscle relaxation has on stress relief. Therefore, the physiological changes namely Heart Rate (HR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Skin Temperature (SKT) of the subjects which reflect the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular relationship were obtained and analyzed. In order to evaluate the assumption that the treatment relieves the subject's physiological and psychological stress, experiment was carried out on 25 adults (13 male and 12 female, age 52.32±18.121) through stages consisted of relaxation, pre-treatment, treatment and post-treatment. Treatment was provided to the back, stomach and leg area by massaging 55°C heat to the back. According as the physiological changes of subjects before and after treatment were compared, the present research was able to prove that thermotherapy and massage treatment induces physiological change of patients thus relieves stress.