Effect of belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation on psychological stress

: Purpose: Rhythm exercise, such as walking, is effective in reducing stress associated with mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. Belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) can promote muscle contraction at a constant rhythm throughout the lower limbs without voluntary effort. B-SES may serve as a therapeutic strategy similar to rhythm exercise. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of B-SES on stress on the basis of salivary amylase levels, a highly reliable stress index. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial in which 30 healthy men were randomly assigned to three stimulation condition groups (DISUSE B-SES group, METABO B-SES group, and Control group). The salivary amylase levels were measured before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the intervention. Changes in the salivary amylase levels were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: The METABO B-SES group had significantly different outcomes immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes after the end of the intervention. Conclusion: METABO B-SES may contribute to stress reduction.