An Exploratory Study of Neurohormonal Responses of Healthy Men to Massage
Abstract
Objective This research examined the relationship between plasma oxytocin (OT), arginine vasopressin (AVP), cortisol, and anxiety before, during, and after a massage in healthy adult men. Design A randomized, controlled, crossover, repeated-measures, prospective experimental design with subjects acting as their own controls was used. Setting The research was conducted at a Midwestern University. Subjects Fourteen (14) healthy men between the ages of 19 and 45 years of age were randomly assigned to the order of two conditions: a 20-minute massage (experimental condition) or a 20-minute reading period (control condition). Methods Blood samples were collected at time intervals during each data collection session. Plasma OT, AVP, and cortisol levels were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and autonomic measures were recorded pre- and postcondition. Results Both experimental (massage) and control (reading) conditions elicited a significant increase in plasma OT levels (p Conclusions The finding that plasma OT levels increased in both the massage and reading groups, suggests that tactile stimulus is not necessary for OT release. The results suggest that another unknown factor associated with reduction of anxiety may be involved.
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Several studies have reported lower oxytocin levels in ASD, while others have not exhibited any differences, and one report of increased oxytocin levels in ASD.
“Several studies have reported lower oxytocin levels in ASD, [17][18][19] while others have not exhibited any differences, 20,21 and one report of increased oxytocin levels in ASD.22”
From Beyond the hype and hope: critical considerations for intranasal oxytocin research in autism spectrum disorder (2017) · cites this paper as [17]
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- Authors
- Bello, D., White-Traut, R., Schwertz, D., Pournajafi-Nazarloo, H., & Carter, C. S.
- Affiliations
- Baxter (United States) (US)
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- College of Medicine and the Brain Body Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
- ORCID
- Carter, C. Sue
- Venue
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-05
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 387-394
- ISSN
- 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7708
- OpenAlex
- W2066146193
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 3.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Keywords
- massage, oxytocin, vasopressin, cortisol, anxiety, neurohormonal response, autonomic nervous system, tactile stimulation, healthy men
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Arginine Vasopressin, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Massage, Middle Aged, Oxytocin, Prospective Studies, Reference Values, Cross-Over Studies
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