Effect of Hand Massage on Occupational Leg Swelling and Resting-state Electroencephalographic Activity: A Randomized Cross-over Study

Background: Hand massage is recommended for leg swelling with circulatory disturbance because sitting or standing for hours leads to occupational leg swelling and increases the risk for development of chronic venous disease. Furthermore, studies have revealed that hand massage improves emotion and mood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of hand massage on occupational leg swelling and resting-state electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. Methods: This study was designed as a randomized cross-over study. Eighteen healthy women who work in a sitting or standing position were included in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups (A and B). First, group A received hand massage to their right leg, and group B received machine massage to their right leg, for 15 minutes each. After 2 weeks, group A received machine massage to their right leg, and group B received hand massage to their right leg, for 15 minutes each. Lower leg volume, restingstate EEG activity were measured before and after each massage. Moreover, the emotion and mood states were measured after each massage. Results: Lower leg volume was significantly reduced after hand and machine massages (p < 0.05). The degree of pleasant, relaxation and refreshing was significantly higher after hand massage than after machine massage (p < 0.05). Resting-state alpha activity after hand massage significantly increased in the left anterior cingulate cortex compared with resting-state alpha activity after machine massage (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that hand massage attenuate occupational leg swelling and increases the resting-state alpha activity in the left anterior cingulate cortex.