Types of reactions to massage in the study of electrodermal activity

Abstract

Background. It might seem that body reactions to various procedures should always correspond to basic traits of the stimulus which affects them. In practice, however, the problem has turned out to be more complex, which would mean that e.g. a relaxation procedure is not always relaxing. The aim of the presented paper is the analysis of body reactions to face and scalp massage, measured using electrodermal Ryodoraku approach. Material and methods. The author presents the analysis of electrodermal activity (EDA) measurement using Ryodoraku in a sample of 44 women subjected to a single face massage procedure, in comparison with the control group. Results. The results obtained from EDA measurement reflect characteristic types of body reactions to the applied physical stimulus in all the performed procedures. The analysis of EDA assessment has shown that body reactions to face and scalp massage are different, depending on the participant’s individual characteeristics. Conclusions. The observed different types of body reactions to the performed massage procedures rise further research-related questions, connected with such problems as: quantification of the effectiveness of such procedures as related to individual needs and body reaction, specificity of regaining homeostasis by the body during long-term observations, the differentiating role of the participant’s volitional factors, mood and temperament, and the specificity of such responses in athlete population.