Dohsa-hou Relaxation Enhances Cardiac Parasympathetic Activity Assessed by Analysis of Heart Rate Variability

Abstract

This study examined whether Dohsa-hou relaxation might enhance cardiac autonomic nervous activity as assessed by analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Healthy adults in a parenting support group (N = 40, 16 men and 24 women, mean age = 31.2 years, SD = 3.9 years), participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the Dohsa-hou or control groups. The Dohsa-hou group performed two Dohsa-hou treatments, Kukan no hineri (Torso Twist) and Kao no yurume (Facial Loosening), for 5 min each, whereas the control group spent 10 min undergoing quiet rest. Electrocardiograms (ECG) were taken for 5-min at the baseline and 5-min after the treatment (post-treatment measure). Participants also completed the Self-Rating Scale of Dohsa-hou (S-Dohsa) at baseline and post-treatment. Results indicated that the power of the high-frequency component of HRV increased significantly in the Dohsa-hou compared to the control group (p =.033). Moreover, the S-Dohsa Relief and Rest subscale score also increased significantly in the Dohsa-hou compared to the control group (p