Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2012; 10(3): 709-715.
The Comparison between the Effects of the Meridian Massage and Aroma massage on Stress, Anxiety Level and Abdominal Circumference in Female College Students
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out in order to compare the effects of abdominal meridian massage and aroma
abdominal massage on female undergraduates’ stress, anxiety and abdominal circumference. The research
subjects were selected 20 people who responded as saying that the level of being felt stress or anxiety now
by oneself is more than a mild case. The abdominal meridian and aroma massage were carried out totally 20
times per once by 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Before beginning experiment, the stress level, anxiety level,
and body compositions were measured. The stress level, anxiety level, and abdominal circumference following
experiment were measured at intervals of 1 week after beginning experiment. The verification of homogeneity
before experiment and the pre-post difference in abdominal circumference in the group with abdominal
meridian massage and the group with aroma abdominal massage were used t-test. Stress level and anxiety
level according to the passage of massage period were analyzed with repeated measure ANOVA. As a result of
experiment, the pre·post change in body composition and abdominal circumference was significantly reduced
5 cm below the navel and the circumference in the navel part in the abdominal meridian massage. Even body
fat (%) showed significant reduction. On the other hand, the aroma abdominal massage had no significant
difference by comparing it with pre-experiment. The stress relief level was indicated to be more significant in 2
weeks after experiment than 1 week after experiment in the abdominal meridian massage. The result after it
had no significant difference. On the other hand, the aroma massage had no significant difference in a change
according to the point of time. The anxiety relief level had no significant difference in a change according to the
point of time in both abdominal meridian massage and abdominal aroma massage. As a result of experiment,
both methods had effect of reduction in stress, anxiety and abdominal obesity. However, its effect was indicated
to be relatively bigger in the group with abdominal meridian massage.
Keywords :
Meridian, Aroma, Stress, Anxiety, Abdominal obesity
