The effects on mental fatigue and the cognitive function of mechanical massage and binaural beats (brain massage) provided by massage chairs

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Aug:32:32-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.04.008. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

Abstract

Objective: To verify whether the mechanical massage using massage chairs and binaural beats (brain massage) affect the mental fatigue recovery and cognitive enhancements.

Methods: 25 healthy adults used massage chairs that could provide mechanical massage and binaural beats (brain massage) for 20 min. Mental fatigue and cognitive function were assessed before and after receiving brain massage using electroencephalogram (EEG) and 5 prolonged cognitive tests.

Results: When a person received a brain massage on the massage chair, the decrease in mental fatigue was statistically significant compared to taking a rest or receiving a mechanical massage only on the massage chair. In addition, sustained attention, verbal short-term and long-term memory and non-verbal long-term memory were statistically significantly increased after using brain massage.

Conclusion: Brain massage (mechanical massage and binaural beats) are effective in reducing mental fatigue and improving the cognitive function.

Keywords: Binaural beats; Cognitive function; Electroencephalography (EEG); Massage chair; Mechanical massage; Mental fatigue.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Massage* / instrumentation
  • Massage* / methods
  • Mental Fatigue* / physiopathology
  • Mental Fatigue* / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult