Analysis of Psychophysiological Effects of Continuous Treatment (Head-Therapy) on the Head

Kuninaga Osawa; Yukihiro Yada; Chieko Suzuki

doi:10.20944/preprints202607.1147.v1

Submitted:

08 July 2026

Posted:

15 July 2026

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Abstract

The authors examined the psychophysiological effects before and after the treatment with the aim of clarifying the effects on the mind and body of continuous treatment on the head (hereinafter referred to as head-therapy). As a result, psychologically, negative emotions such as fatigue, stress awareness, depression, and anxiety decreased significantly immediately after the treatment, and positive emotions such as a feeling of clarity of mind, concentration, and exhilaration were significantly increased. Thirty minutes after the treatment, these positive emotions were even higher. Physiologically, immediately after the head-therapy, the parasympathetic nervous system activity was significantly higher than before the treatment. On the other hand, no noticeable changes were observed in central nervous system activity. Furthermore, 30 minutes after the head-therapy, the parasympathetic nervous system activity dominant state seen immediately after the treatment was maintained. It was suggested that the central nervous system activity, which did not show significant changes immediately after the treatment, was more active than before the head-therapy.

Keywords:

treatment method (head-therapy)

;

psychophysiological effects

;

autonomic nervous system activity

;

central nervous system activity

Subject:

Public Health and Healthcare - Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

1. Introduction

Since ancient times, treatments have been performed for various purposes such as pain relief, physical strengthening, skin beautification, functional recovery, improvement of discomfort, and calming both mind and body^1-3). Moreover, these methods have developed and developed independently in each region and country. Even now, many treatment methods are still deeply ingrained in our daily lives and are utilized, playing a role in maintaining health and improving discomfort. While it is certain that treatments are deeply connected to our social lives and health maintenance, scientific evidence regarding their effects and efficacy remains scarce, so it is necessary to disseminate various information about treatments and verify their effectiveness⁴⁾.

The authors have previously performed a series of procedures on the head and neck (KAA-H&N method; Kuninaga anatomical approach-Head and Neck (hereinafter referred to as the KAA method) before and after the treatment (autonomic nervous system activity, peripheral circulatory activity, and central nervous system activity) are reported⁵⁾. In addition, this study examines the psychophysiological effects of continuous treatment on the head only (hereinafter referred to as head therapy), and report the findings.

3. Materials and method

3.1. Attributes and Selection Criteria of Trial Participants

Head-therapy is originally a treatment method proposed and provided regardless of gender, but in this study, it is necessary to consider the impact of gender differences in order to verify the psychophysiological effects of the treatment. The purpose was to clarify the similarities and differences between the psychophysiological effects of KAA treatment on the head and neck and the effects of head therapy. The study participants (hereinafter referred to as "subjects") were only women, as previously reported. The participants were selected as 20 healthy women (45.4±8.3 years old) who did not dislike massage and other procedures, did not smoke on a daily basis, were not menstruating, had hypothermia during the menstrual period, had no serious organ damage or specific diseases in their self-report, and were not receiving treatment, and were not currently receiving drug therapy. The treatment with head therapy was performed for 15 minutes. On the other hand, the same subjects were treated with no treatment and resting as a control. Subjects were asked to come to the test site twice, without treatment (control day) and with treatment (treatment day), at about the same time. Answers to psychological questionnaires and various physiological measurements were performed during the resting waiting period before the treatment, immediately after the end of the treatment, and 30 minutes after the end of the treatment.

3.2. Ethical Considerations and Conflicts of Interest

This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the Chiyoda Paramedical Care Clinic, an external clinical trial contracting organization, in accordance with the Code of Ethics set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki (Ethical Review Approval No.23102003). The test was conducted after explaining the contents of the test and the procedure to the test participants, and obtaining their consent in the consent form. The contents of this study were registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) (UMIN registration number 000052961). In this study, there are no matters to be reported regarding conflicts of interest.

4. Trial Design

In this study, psychophysiological analysis of the subjects was performed before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment. On the control day, subjects were asked to fill out a psychological questionnaire and physiological measurements 1) before the treatment, 2) immediately after completing the 15-minute supine position without treatment, and 3) after 30 minutes of sitting rest. In addition, the subjects on the day of the treatment were asked to fill out the same psychological questionnaire and physiological measurements 1) before the treatment, 2) immediately after the 15-minute head therapy treatment, and 3) 30 minutes after the treatment, and the psychophysiological effects were compared.

Head therapy: This treatment method is based on the concept of anatomy and physiology, and the author’s clinical experience and participation in human anatomy practice at a university medical school in the United States. The purpose of the procedure and procedure consists of 11 consecutive approaches to the cervical region as shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. The treatment time is about 15 minutes. The following techniques are summarized as follows: 1) approach to the eye area (inducing breathing with very light pressure to cover the entire orbital area), 2) approach to the sternocleidomastoid muscle (sternocleidomastoid muscle origin, muscle abdomen, stimulate in a circular motion while maintaining pressure around the mastoid process), 3) approach to the head (striking gently from side to side along the two lines of the midline and outside the midline. Stimulate while moving to the Hyakue line), 4) Approach to lower occipital traction (grasp the occipital bone, rotate and traction the head as if pulling the jaw during exhalation, and stretch the lower occipital region. Fine traction vibration is applied in the traction position), 5) Approach to the upper cervical spine (the pads of the fingertips are placed on the sides of the first and second cervical vertebrae alternately left and right, the second cervical vertebra is fixed, and the forearm on the first cervical vertebra is pronated while repeatedly rotating the head), 6) Approach to the suboccipital muscle group (after relaxing the superficial muscles by raising and rotating the chin, stimulation is applied to the fascia and muscles in a circular motion from the lower occipital region to the center ~ outside, and the lower part of the upper neck line to the inside ~ outside), 7) Approach to the occipital muscle ( Divide the occipital muscles into four places, and stimulate them by twisting and pinching them in a circle while capturing the muscles and fascia), 8) Approach to the ears and temporal head (listen to the second finger, place the third finger on the wind, and stimulate in a circular motion to maintain pressure. Stimulation is performed in 6 places while moving to the auditory palace, auricular gate, and temporal area), 9) Approach to the frontal head (capturing the frontal and temporal heads from the hairline of the forehead to the Hyakue line, and moving the subcutaneous tissue of the head in a large inward circular motion), 10) Approach to temporal pressure (place the base of the hand on the temporal head, apply pressure in the central direction or slightly downward during exhalation in time with breathing, and return the pressure during inhalation), 11) Approach to the top of the head (above the coronal suture and above the fontanelle, Place your fingertips around the hundred circles to stimulate the subcutaneous tissue of the head in a large circular motion, and then tap lightly alternately. Finally, induce deep breathing while sending pressure to Hyakue (Baihui, GV20). By performing these 11 approaches, this treatment method aims to improve the function of the autonomic nervous system, the function of the central nervous system, and the functional balance of the body.

Test content: Subjects will be seated in an environmental test room with a room temperature of 25±1 °C and a relative humidity of about 50%, and then rest in a sitting position for 20 minutes. It was acclimatized to the experimental environment. After acclimatization, 30 items of the stress checklist (hereinafter referred to as SCL30)^6,7) and mood scale (Visual Analog Scale; hereinafter referred to as VAS)^8-10) as psychological indicators. and the Multifaceted Affective Scale Questionnaire (hereinafter referred to as MMS)^11,12). Among these three questionnaires, VAS and MMS were answered immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment, as well as before the treatment. After that, after 5 minutes of sitting rest, the patients were placed on their backs on a bed and head therapy was performed, and psychological and physiological changes were examined before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment. In addition, all responses to the questionnaire and physiological measurements were performed in a sitting or standing position (only the center of gravity movement measurement was performed in a standing position).

Physiological evaluation is measured as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity^13,14).^, vascular age by fingertip acceleration pulse waves (indicator of peripheral circulatory function)¹⁵⁾. In addition, brain activity measurement by ATMT method was performed as an indicator of central nervous system activity¹⁶⁾, Flicker value measurement as an index of brain fatigue^17,18), and center of gravity agitation measurement as an index of somatosensory function assessment^19,20). The measurement time required for these series of psychophysiological evaluations was about 10 minutes.

Psychological evaluation indicators: The three psychological questionnaires used in this study will be summarized. Before the treatment, the subjects were asked to answer the SCL30 for the purpose of understanding their stress awareness. The degree of stress can be assessed by counting the number of items corresponding to 30 physical symptoms. i.e., 0~5 points; Almost no stress, no problem, 6~10 points; Slightly stressful level, 11~20 points; Strong stress level is recognized, 21 points or more; It is judged that the level requires professional treatment. In addition, VAS and MMS were used to analyze mood and emotional changes before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment.

In other words, VAS is defined as "overall fatigue", "spontaneous stress", "boredom", "Clear Headedness", "concentration", "motivation", "Exhilaration", was used. From "I don’t feel it at all" to "I feel it the most strongly so far" is expressed as a line of 0~100 mm, and subjective evaluation was asked. The length from 0 to the checked mark was measured separately, and these values were analyzed as a measure of mood (VAS score). A higher VAS score indicates a higher mood for each item.

MMS is a condition that includes "depression/anxiety", "hostility", "fatigue", "active", "inactive", "affinity", "concentration", "surprise", 40 items on 8 subscales of "astonishment" were used. 1 point; 4 points because I don’t feel it at all; Subjective evaluation was asked on a four-point scale that clearly felt it. Emotions were analyzed by simply adding 1 to 4 points, and the total score (multifaceted emotion scale score) was analyzed. Therefore, the higher the score, the higher the emotion of the item.

Physiological evaluation indicators: As mentioned above, pupillary light reflex measurement, vascular age measurement by pulse wave, flicker value measurement, brain age measurement, and center of gravity movement measurementt were performed, respectively.

Measurement of pupillary light reflex: Changes in the diameter of the pupil in the dark field were measured using a goggle-shaped pupillometry (Iriscoder Dual C10641, manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics). The changes in pupil diameter (miosis) were measured three times before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the procedure after 1.0 second of light stimulation with a red LED after wearing goggles in a sitting position and acclimatizing to the darkness for 2 minutes. When parasympathetic nervous system activity is dominant, the pupil is more constricted, so the miosis rate (CR) increases. On the other hand, it has been reported that when sympathetic nervous system activity is dominant, the rate of pupil dilation after miosis increases. Therefore, the change in pupil transverse diameter D1 in the initial state before light stimulation and the transverse pupil diameter D2 after light stimulation were calculated as D1-D2, and the miosis rate (CR), which is the rate of miosis, was calculated from CR=(D1-D2)/D1. The miosis rate before the treatment was CR0, the miosis rate immediately after the treatment was CR1, and the miosis rate after 30 minutes was CR2. In addition, the mydriatic velocity (vd) was also measured to analyze its effect on autonomic nervous system activity.

Measurement of cerebral age and vascular age: Measurement of cerebral age and vascular age was performed using the brain age meter ATMT (Rakuraku Wellness Version, produced by Wellup, Inc.). ATMT is an improved version of TMT, a neuropsychological test that measures attentional function among cognitive. It has been suggested that it is highly reliable and credible as a central function evaluation method. As for the test procedure, the speed of the two tasks is performed for about 5 minutes, and the functional age of the brain (as brain age) is calculated by quantifying the speed, effective utilization, and brain vitality. In this study, brain age, speed, effective utilization, and brain vitality were used for analysis. The first challenge features working memory, with targeted numbers from (1) to (25) randomly placed on the display. When the test participant presses the panel number (1), it disappears and a new number (26) is added to the screen. At this time, the position of the remaining numbers is fixed, and participants press the numbers from (1) to (25) as quickly and accurately as possible to erase them.

The second task is not affected by working memory, and the reaction time fluctuates due to fatigue, and when the participant presses one number and disappears, a new number is added, but all the remaining numbers also disappear and are rearranged, so that the test participant cannot remember the arrangement of the number.

Speed indicates the speed of processing simple tasks, effective utilization indicates the utilization of original abilities, and brain vitality indicates the ease of brain fatigue, all of which are arbitrary units. As a result, the lower the brain age, the better, and the higher the speed, effective use, and brain vitality, the better the values.

Vascular age was measured three times: before the procedure, immediately after, and 30 minutes after the procedure using the included fingertip volume pulse wave sensor. The accelerating pulse wave index (vascular age) was calculated by analyzing the waveform patterns from a wave to e wave and the degree of increase and decrease with specialized analysis software. The effects of head therapy on peripheral circulatory function were analyzed by comparing chronological age with the calculated vascular age.

Measurement of center of gravity fluctuation: To evaluate its effect on somatosensory functions controlled by the central nervous system, we analyzed the shift in the center of gravity. Center of gravity sway was measured using the center of gravity sway gravicoder GW-31, which is included with the EF-60 brain executive function meter (manufactured by Anima Corporation). Before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, and 30 minutes after the procedure, subjects stood with their eyes open on a triangular plate for measuring center of gravity sway, then closed their eyes. The total trajectory length of the center of gravity, front-to-back sway amplitude, left-right sway amplitude, and rectangular area were analyzed for 30 seconds.

Measurement of flicker value: Since the high and low flicker value can be evaluated based on the fact that it reflects the intensity of brain fatigue, the handheld flicker meter HF-II (made by NEITZ). The flicker value was measured using A flicker measurement test was conducted in which the subjects themselves pressed the button on the flicker device with their thumb to lower the frequency from 70Hz, and when they felt a flash of green light, they immediately released their fingers. Measurements were taken five times before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the procedure, and the highest and lowest values were removed, and the mean and standard errors were obtained from the remaining three measurements, respectively. The higher the measured flicker value, the higher the brain activity and the less fatigue it was judged.

Analysis methods: Statistical processing was performed by one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Bonferroni method after one-way ANOVA for data before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 30 minutes after treatment. In addition, statistical analysis between the control group and the treatment group before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment was performed with unmatched t-tests. SPSS Statistics 25 (manufactured by IBM) was used as statistical analysis software, and the statistical significance level was set at 5%.

Adverse events: There were no adverse events during or at the end of the study, and no adverse events were reported by the subjects during follow-up after the end of the study.

Table 1. Treatment procedure and purpose.

Figure 1. 11 consecutiveapproaches to head therapy.

5. Results

In order to understand the stress consciousness of the subjects as a preliminary study for the subjects, they were asked to answer the SCL30. The control days without treatment were 8.25±3.01. In addition, since the treatment days were 8.52±2.76, it was thought that the stress consciousness of the subjects was at a level where some stress was recognized, but the daily difference in stress awareness was not observed. When looking at the relationship between stress awareness on the day of treatment and age, as shown in Figure 1, the younger the group, the higher the stress awareness, and the tending to decrease with age. Psychological state (VAS, MMS) and physiological state (miosis rate, brain age, vascular age, flicker value, and center of gravity agitation) were measured in both groups before the start of the study, and no significant differences were found in either group.

As shown in Table 1, no psychologically clear changes over time were observed in the VAS scores of the three VAS scores before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment, as shown in Table 1. On the other hand, the negative emotions of "overall fatigue", "spontaneous stress" and "boredom" were significantly reduced immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment (p <.001, p <.001, p <.001), but after 30 minutes of treatment, It was further reduced (p <.001, p <.001, p <.001).

On the other hand, the positive emotions of "feeling of clarity of mind", "concentration", "motivation", and "exhilaration" increased significantly immediately after the treatment (p <.001, p <.01, p <.05, p <.001). The effect was maintained 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.001, p <.01, p <.01, p <.001). Furthermore, when analyzed between the two groups of the target group and the treatment group, no significant difference was observed between the two groups before the treatment, but immediately after the treatment, a significant difference was observed in six items other than "motivation" compared to the control group (p <.001, p <.001, p <.001, p <.01, p <.01, p <.001).Furthermore, after 30 minutes of treatment, there was a significant difference in all seven items (p <.001, p <.001, p <.001, p <. 01, p <.01, p <.05, p <.001).

Furthermore, in the analysis of psychological changes by MMS, as shown in Table 2, there were no significant changes in the control immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before the treatment, but in the treatment, the negative emotions "depression/anxiety", "hostility", and "shock" were significantly reduced among the 8 items immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment (p <.001, p <.05, p <.01,), and the decline was maintained 30 minutes after the procedure (p <.001, p <.05, p <.05) and "fatigue" also decreased significantly (p <.01). On the other hand, the positive emotions of "active" and "affinity" increased significantly immediately after the treatment (p <.01, p <.05), but the "active" level remained high even after 30 minutes (p <.01).

In addition, no significant change in "inactive" feelings was observed immediately after the treatment or 30 minutes after the treatment. Furthermore, when analyzed between the two groups of subjects and the treatment, no significant difference was found between the two groups before the treatment, but immediately after the treatment, "depression/anxiety", "hostility", and "fatigue" were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the control group (p <.001, p <.01, p <.001), and the condition was significantly reduced even after 30 minutes of treatment. On the other hand, the positive emotion of "active" increased to significant (p <.001, p <.01) immediately after the treatment, and the significant difference was maintained even after 30 minutes (p <.001, p <.01). Regarding "astonishment", there was no significant difference between the two groups immediately after the treatment, but a significant difference (p <.05) was observed 30 minutes after the treatment.

There were no significant differences in "affinity" and "concentration" between the two groups immediately after treatment and 30 minutes after treatment. Since a significant decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions were observed immediately after head therapy, we analyzed the relationship between the change in overall fatigue before and after head therapy and the intensity of stress awareness (SCL30), which was particularly high among negative emotions. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2a, there was a clear positive correlation (r=0.47) between overall fatigue (mean 62.5 points) and stress awareness (mean 8.20 points), but the correlation disappeared immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment, as shown in Fig. 3b, because the overall fatigue decreased. In other words, the higher the stress awareness among the subjects, the higher the overall fatigue, but immediately after the treatment, the overall fatigue decreased significantly to a mean value of 34.6 (p <.01), and a significant decrease to a mean value of 30.4 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.001).

Specifically, regarding the relationship between stress awareness and fatigue before head therapy, subjects with higher stress awareness showed higher overall fatigue, but immediately after the procedure, overall fatigue significantly decreased to an average of 34.6 (p <.01), and further decreased to a mean of 30.4 30 minutes after the procedure (p <.001). In particular, subjects with higher stress awareness showed a significant reduction in overall fatigue after head therapy. Therefore, we divided the group into two groups: 10 with high stress awareness and 10 with low stress awareness. When examining whether there was a difference in overall fatigue after head therapy, the group with higher stress awareness showed a more pronounced reduction in overall fatigue compared to the group with low stress awareness (results not shown).

In the physiological evaluation, as shown in Fig. 4, there was no significant change in the miosis rate (CR) before, immediately after the treatment, and 30 minutes after the treatment. In addition, there was no change in the mydriatic velocity (vd) compared to before the treatment, even immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes later. On the other hand, a significant increase in CR (p <.001) was observed immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment, but CR was significantly higher (p <.001) even 30 minutes after the treatment. In addition, there was no change in the vd immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment, as well as in the control. Furthermore, when the changes in the miosis rate between the two groups were analyzed, no significant difference was found between the two groups before the treatment, but a significant difference in the change in the miosis rate was observed immediately after the treatment (p <.001). A significant difference was observed even 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.001).

In the measurement of vascular age, as shown in Fig. 5, there was no significant change in the controls immediately after the procedure and 30 minutes after the procedure (51.6±0.97, 51.3±0.94 and 51.7±0.87 years) compared to before the procedure. On the other hand, a significant decrease was observed at 49.0±0.56 years immediately after the treatment, although it was before the treatment (51.5±0.89 years), and a significant decrease was maintained 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.01). Furthermore, when the changes in vascular age were analyzed between the subjects and the two groups, significant differences were found between the two groups immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.05, p <.01).

In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, there was no significant change in the control group immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before the treatment. On the other hand, in the treatment group, an increase in flicker value was observed immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment, but it was not significant, and a significant increase was observed 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.01). Furthermore, when the changes in flicker values between the target group and the treatment group were analyzed, no significant difference was observed before the treatment, but a significant difference (p <.05, p <.001) was observed immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment.

As shown in Fig. 7a, there was no significant change in the control group immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before the treatment. On the other hand, in the treatment group, no change in brain age was observed immediately after the treatment, but a significant decrease was observed 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before and immediately after the treatment (p <.01). Furthermore, when the changes in brain age between the target group and the treatment group were analyzed, no significant difference was observed before the treatment, but a significant difference was found 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.01) was recognized. Furthermore, when the three factors of brain activity obtained by this device, "speed", "energy", and "effective utilization", were analyzed as shown in Fig. 7b., there were no significant changes in any of the factors immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before the treatment. On the other hand, in the treatment group, "speed" increased significantly after 30 minutes of treatment compared with before and immediately after treatment (p <.01, p <.05). The average value of "energetic" increased immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment compared to before the treatment, but there was no significant increase. The "effective utilization" showed an increasing trend immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment, and increased significantly 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.01). Furthermore, when the changes in the three brain activity factors were analyzed between the control group and the treatment group, no significant difference was observed before and immediately after the treatment, but 30 minutes after the treatment, there was a significant increase in both "speed", "energetic", and "effective utilization" compared to the control group (p <.01, p <.05, p <.05).

As shown in Fig. 8a, there was no significant change in the "total trajectory length", which is a factor for center of gravity motion, immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment in the control group compared to before the treatment. On the other hand, in the treatment group, a significant decrease in the "total trajectory length" was observed immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment. In addition, a significant reduction was observed 30 minutes after the procedure. Therefore, when looking at the three factors "back-and-forth swaying width", "left and right swaying width", and "rectangular area" caused by the change of total trajectory length, no significant changes were observed in the control group immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment, as shown in Fig. 8b. On the other hand, in the treatment group, there was no change in the "front and rear swing width" and "rectangular area", but a significant decrease was observed in the "left and right swaying width" immediately after the treatment and 30 minutes after the treatment (p <.05).

Finally, the change in the total trajectory length of the center of gravity observed immediately after the treatment (immediately after the treatment - before the treatment = Δ total trajectory length) and the change in depression and anxiety due to the treatment shown in Table 3 (immediately after the treatment - before the treatment = Δ depression and anxiety). As a result, as shown in Figure 9, in the control group, there was no change in depression or anxiety immediately after treatment, and no association was found with changes in total locus length of the center of gravity (r=0.037). However, in the treatment group, subjects with greater reductions in depression and anxiety scores showed a significant decrease in total track length (r=0.414).

Table 2. Changes in the mood by head therapy.

Figure 2. Age distribution and stress awareness (SCL30) of subjects.

Figure 3. Changes in overall fatigue byhead therapy.

Figure 4. Measurement of miosis rate by pupillary light reflexmethod.

Figure 5. Calculation of acceleration pulse wave index (Vascular age) using the ATMT.

Figure 6. Measurement of the flicker value for brain fatigue.

Figure 7. a. Calculation of the ATMT index (Brain age) using the brain age assessment system.

Figure 7. b. Calculation of three brain variables using the brain age assessment system.

Figure 8. a. Measurement of total trajectory length by center of mass sway system.

Figure 8. b. Measurement of three factors by center of mass sway system.

Figure 9. Relationship between changes in total trajectory length immediately after treatment and changes in depression/anxiety.

6. Discussion

The purpose of this report is to examine the psychophysical and mental changes occurring before and after head therapy from both psychological and physiological perspectives, and to clarify their psychological and physiological effectiveness. Furthermore, the aim was to clarify whether the effectiveness of head therapy varied depending on the stress awareness and overall fatigue levels of participants in the trial. In other words, we wanted to grasp the clues to determine which characteristics of head therapy tend to have on people with physical and mental effects, or which are less likely to affect them.

The stress awareness of the subjects who participated in this study ranged from the lowest of 2 to the highest of 23 points (mean 8.2 points). In addition, the overall fatigue score was also widely distributed, ranging from 20 to 90 points (average 62.5 points). Therefore, when looking at the relationship between stress awareness and overall fatigue, a high correlation was observed as shown in Figure 3a. In other words, the higher the stress awareness, the higher the overall fatigue. However, after receiving head therapy, overall fatigue significantly decreased, suggesting that head therapy may have a reduced fatigue.

Therefore, when analyzing changes in fatigue between the 10 and low stress awareness groups, the higher stress awareness group showed a more significant overall reduction in fatigue (from a mean of 70.0 to 28.5). In other words, it was suggested that the psychological improvement effect of head therapy may be more effective in people with high stress awareness and high fatigue. In addition, as shown in Table 2 and Table 3, a significant reduction in negative emotions such as fatigue, stress awareness, depression/anxiety, hostility, and fatigue was observed immediately after the treatment, and positive emotions such as a sense of clarity of the head, concentration, and exhilaration were significantly increased. These emotions and mood changes were even more pronounced 30 minutes after the treatment, suggesting that head therapy has psychological effects such as recalling and uplifting positive emotions along with the suppression of negative emotions.

Physiological assessments showed a significant increase in the rate of miosis immediately after head therapy compared to before, suggesting that parasympathetic nervous system activity is in a significant state—in other words, a sedative state. Furthermore, the CR value of the miosis rate remained significantly high even 30 minutes after the procedure, suggesting that the dominant parasympathetic nervous system was maintained after the procedure.

Next, as an evaluation of peripheral circulatory function, we examined the impact on vascular age. Acceleration pulse waves, a theory for measuring vascular age, are an important indicator for evaluating vascular elasticity and aging by analyzing volume changes in peripheral blood vessels. On the other hand, it has been suggested that aging blood vessels reduce blood flow in the brain and other vascular networks, increasing the risk of cerebrovascular dementia and other conditions. Therefore, by analyzing the pitch and interval of acceleration pulse wave waveforms—that is, measuring vascular age—it may be possible to evaluate the condition of blood vessels related not only to peripheral circulatory function but also to central nervous system function.

The average age of the subjects who participated in this study was 45.35 years, but the vascular age before the procedure was 51.20 years, which was about 6 years higher. In other words, it was thought that the risk of vascular function-dependent diseases and cognitive decline was higher than that of vascular conditions at actual age, but a significant decrease in vascular age was observed immediately after head therapy, and further declines were observed 30 minutes after treatment, suggesting the possibility of activation of peripheral circulatory function and brain function.

Next, we examined the effects on brain fatigue before and after the procedure using flicker measurements, as a result of examining the effect on brain fatigue by examining the reactivity of flashing light (the flashing frequency becomes the flicker value). The continuous change of frequency, no significant change was observed immediately after the treatment, but a significant increase was observed 30 minutes after the treatment, suggesting that the effect of head therapy on reducing brain fatigue was observed. It was thought that the reduction of brain fatigue meant the restoration of brain function and the activation of brain activity.

Therefore, when we further measured brain age based on the ATMT method, we found that there was no change in brain age immediately after the treatment compared to before the treatment, so there was no immediate change in brain function, but a significant decrease in brain age was observed 30 minutes after the treatment as shown in Fig. 6a. As shown in Fig. 6b, the three factors of brain activity, "speed", "brain vitality", and "effective utilization", were significantly increased 30 minutes after treatment, suggesting that recovery and activation of brain function occurred. In other words, the ATMT method, which is the basis of brain age calculation, is a neuropsychological test that measures attention function, and it has been suggested that it is highly reliable as a central function evaluation method. These results were thought to confirm that the information processing function was enhanced.

Furthermore, the center of gravity movement measurement, which is an evaluation method for somatosensory function, suggested that the total trajectory length of the center of gravity was significantly reduced immediately after the treatment as shown in Fig. 8a, and the low value was maintained even after 30 minutes of treatment, suggesting that head therapy may have improved somatosensory function. It was suggested that the significant decrease in the total trajectory length may be due to a significant decrease in the left and right swing width of the center of gravity as shown in Fig. 8b.

By the way, in recent years, it has been reported that the level of psychological anxiety and the increase or decrease of the fluctuation of the center of gravity are correlated with the relationship between psychological state and physiological state^21,22). In other words, it is an interesting report that the state of psychological anxiety is related to the results of physiological center of gravity agitation measurements, as the measurement of the center of gravity movement increases when anxiety increases, or the measurement of center of gravity movement decreases when anxiety decreases. Therefore, considering the psychological and physiological validation results of this study with reference to these findings, it was possible to suggest that there was a correlation between a significant reduction in psychological anxiety observed immediately after head therapy and a significant decrease in total trajectory length obtained from physiological center of gravity movement measurements. As shown in Fig. 9a and 9b, analysis showed that, in the control group, there was no change in depression or anxiety immediately after treatment, and no association was found with changes in total locus length of the center of gravity (r=0.037). However, in the treatment group, subjects whose depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly (r=0.414) due to treatment. In other words, the greater the reduction in depression and anxiety scores immediately after treatment, the more significant the reduction in total trajectory length was observed.

These results were that the greater the decrease in depression and anxiety scores immediately after the treatment, the more significant the reduction in total trajectory length. Therefore, in order to clarify the relationship between the psychological and physiological effects of head therapy, we consider that, it is of great significance to measure the center of gravity agitation as one of the important physiological indicators to support the reduction of psychological anxiety.

It was thought that the effects of head therapy on autonomic and central nervous system functions led to a significant decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions immediately after treatment, as well as a dominance of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Furthermore, after 30 minutes of treatment, a significant decrease in brain age was observed while parasympathetic nervous system activity was dominant, a significant increase in speed, vitality, and effective utilization of the three factors of brain activity, and a significant increase in the flicker value and a significant decrease in the center of gravity sway-related values (total trajectory length, left and right swaying width) were observed. It was thought that the return and further enhancement caused an increase in somatosensory, recovery from fatigue in the central system, and an increase in brain activity.

As shown above, it is very interesting to note that psychological changes such as a decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions were observed in the head therapy of this study, and that dynamic changes in the mind and body, such as the sedative effect associated with the increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity and the recovery and enhancement of central nervous system activity, were observed immediately after and 30 minutes after the treatment. It can be thought that part of the integrated effect of head therapy on the mind and body has been shown.

However, as a limitation of this study, the psychophysiological effects obtained this time were not imagined or understood at the beginning of the study, so we believe that the study participants were limited to adult women. In addition, since the overall evaluation results of 11 approaches have not reached a detailed analysis of the superiority, inferiority, and relevance of each approach. In the future, we believe that it is necessary to consider a detailed analysis of each approach by evaluating mixed genders. In this study, we only analyzed psychophysiological changes before, after, and 30 minutes after treatment, but in the future, we would like to clarify the effectiveness and uniqueness of head therapy by using electroencephalogram measurement and heart rate variability analysis to comprehensively analyze psychophysiological changes over time from immediately after treatment to 30 minutes after treatment. Furthermore, we hope to lead to proposals for next-generation head therapy based on evidence.

7. Conclusions

As a result of analyzing the psychophysiological effects of head therapy treatment over time, it was suggested that immediately after the treatment, it significantly reduced physical and mental fatigue and fatigue, and then completely restored and improved the physical and mental state. In addition, we believe that the effect of such head therapy on the mind and body is not an event limited to this law. It seems that the general and traditional treatment methods so far also have the same effects as revealed in this study. In the near future, we hope that further verification of the treatment method will clarify its usefulness and uniqueness.

Author Contributions

K. O.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation, Data curation, Writing - original draft, Visualization. Y. Y.: Methodology, Validation, Writing - review and editing, Supervision. C. S.: Conceptualization, Resources, Writing - review and editing, Project administration, Supervision.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate. The study was conducted following the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration and the study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Chiyoda Paramedical Care Clinic.

Informed Consent Statement

Written informed consent was obtained from all the patients before participation.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author. All data supporting the findings of this study are presented in the paper.

Consent for publication

Consent for publication is not applicable as this study does not include identifiable data.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the participants for their valuable contributions to this study.

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