Traditional Thai Massage Promoted Immunity in the Elderly via Attenuation of Senescent CD4+ T Cell Subsets: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Kanda Sornkayasit,Wisitsak Phoksawat,Wichai Eungpinichpong,Amonrat Jumnainsong,Chanvit Leelayuwat

doi:10.3390/ijerph18063210

Kanda Sornkayasit, Wisitsak Phoksawat + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063210

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Abstract

The beneficial physiological effects of traditional Thai massage (TTM) have been previously documented. However, its effect on immune status, particularly in the elderly, has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of multiple rounds of TTM on senescent CD4+ T cell subsets in the elderly. The study recruited 12 volunteers (61–75 years), with senescent CD4+ T cell subsets, who received six weekly 1-h TTM sessions or rest, using a randomized controlled crossover study with a 30-day washout period. Flow cytometry analysis of surface markers and intracellular cytokine staining was performed. TTM could attenuate the senescent CD4+ T cell subsets, especially in CD4+28null NKG2D+ T cells (n = 12; p < 0.001). The participants were allocated into two groups (low < 2.75% or high ≥ 2.75%) depending on the number of CD4+28null NKG2D+ T cells. After receiving TTM over 6 sessions, the cell population of the high group had significantly decreased (p < 0.001), but the low group had no significant changes. In conclusion, multiple rounds of TTM may promote immunity through the attenuation of aberrant CD4+ T subsets. TTM may be provided as a complementary therapy to improve the immune system in elderly populations.

Highlights

Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a type of manual therapy in complementary and alternative medicine that applies pressure to the skin and soft tissues of the body along the ten meridian lines [1]
Twelve elderly participants aged 60–80 years with a history of elevated senescent CD4+ T cells were recruited from a sub-district healthpromoting hospital between December 2017 and April 2019
There was a considerable difference between baselines, there were no significant differences between them for all parameters

Summary

Introduction

Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a type of manual therapy in complementary and alternative medicine that applies pressure to the skin and soft tissues of the body along the ten meridian lines [1]. The beneficial effects of TTM include a reduction in stressrelated parameters, improvement in physical relaxation, recovery from myofascial pain, and promotion of well-being [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Previous studies investigated the associations between massage and molecular mechanisms, such as immunomodulatory effects, inflammatory pathways, neuronal and pain modulation. There are many inflammatory responses after the application of minimal pressure on muscles, including the migration of several immune cells to the affected area associated with a complex cell signaling system [7].

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