Ong Marilyn Li Yin, Malik Adam Abdul, Zain Norhasmah Mohd, Sansuddin Nurulilyana, Samsudin Norazliah Hj, Mohamed Rosminah, Long Idris, Mohd Nor Haslina, Abdullah Nurul Asma, Hashim Hairul Anuar
Exercise and Sports Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian Malaysia.
Nursing Programme, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus Universiti Sains Malaysia Kubang Kerian Malaysia.
Health Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 14;8(9):e71226. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.71226. eCollection 2025 Sep.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Massage therapy has been shown to alleviate stress and improve well-being, making it a promising intervention for healthcare professionals who often face high levels of job-related stress. This study investigated the effects of automated massage chair therapy on negative emotional states, musculoskeletal pain, and biochemical markers in healthcare professionals.
Twenty-four healthcare professionals with moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were randomly assigned to either an automated massage chair group or a progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) group. Each group received 15-min sessions, three times per week for 4 weeks, totaling 12 sessions. The depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 items (DASS-21), the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and blood biomarkers [brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cortisol, beta-endorphin, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and myeloperoxidase (MPO)] were measured at baseline, after six sessions, and after 12 sessions.
The massage chair group showed significant reductions in depression scores at 6 sessions (Z = -2.043, = 0.041), and in stress scores at 6 (Z = -2.499, = 0.012) and 12 sessions (Z = -2.326, = 0.020). Calf pain scores improved significantly at 12 sessions (right calf: Z = -2.677, = 0.007; left calf: Z = -2.253, = 0.024), and lower back pain reduced at both 6 (Z = -2.275, = 0.023) and 12 sessions (Z = -2.517, = 0.012). MPO levels were significantly reduced in the massage group post-intervention (F [1, 22] = 7.956, = 0.01; t [11] = 2.959, = 0.013), indicating anti-inflammatory effects. A significant time effect was also observed for beta-endorphin (F [1, 22] = 6.632, = 0.017), with reduced levels after massage (t [11] = 3.321, = 0.007). No significant changes were found in anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, BDNF, cortisol, SOD1, or eNOS.
Automated massage chair therapy significantly alleviated depression, stress, and musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the calves and lower back, with modest biochemical changes such as reduced MPO and beta-endorphin levels. These findings support massage chair use as a convenient, noncontact strategy to enhance psychological and physical well-being in healthcare professionals.
背景/目的：按摩疗法已被证明可减轻压力并改善幸福感，这使其成为经常面临高水平工作相关压力的医护人员的一种有前景的干预措施。本研究调查了自动按摩椅疗法对医护人员负面情绪状态、肌肉骨骼疼痛和生化指标的影响。
24名有中度抑郁、焦虑和压力的医护人员被随机分配到自动按摩椅组或渐进性肌肉松弛（PMR）组。每组接受15分钟的疗程，每周3次，共4周，总计12次疗程。在基线、6次疗程后和12次疗程后测量抑郁、焦虑和压力量表-21项（DASS-21）、疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）以及血液生物标志物[脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）、皮质醇、β-内啡肽、超氧化物歧化酶1（SOD1）、内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）和髓过氧化物酶（MPO）]。
按摩椅组在6次疗程时抑郁评分显著降低（Z = -2.043，P = 0.041），在6次（Z = -2.499，P = 0.012）和12次疗程时压力评分显著降低（Z = -2.326，P = 0.020）。小腿疼痛评分在12次疗程时显著改善（右小腿：Z = -2.677，P = 0.007；左小腿：Z = -2.253，P = 0.024），下背部疼痛在6次（Z = -2.275，P = 0.023）和12次疗程时均有所减轻（Z = -2.517，P = 0.012）。干预后按摩组MPO水平显著降低（F [1, 22] = 7.956，P = 0.01；t [11] = 2.959，P = 0.013），表明具有抗炎作用。β-内啡肽也观察到显著的时间效应（F [1, 22] = 6.632，P = 0.017），按摩后水平降低（t [11] = 3.321，P = 0.007）。焦虑、血压、心率、BDNF、皮质醇、SOD1或eNOS未发现显著变化。
自动按摩椅疗法显著减轻了抑郁、压力和肌肉骨骼疼痛，尤其是在小腿和下背部，同时伴有如MPO和β-内啡肽水平降低等适度的生化变化。这些发现支持将按摩椅作为一种方便、非接触的策略来提高医护人员的心理和身体健康。
