A pilot study of the European Association for Sound Massage Therapy e.V. in cooperation with the Dr. Tanja Grotz Institute

Authors: Dr. Phil. Christina M. Koller & Dr. Tanja Grotz

Executive Summary

For the first time, the effect of Peter Hess™ sound massage with regard to stress management and body image was investigated scientifically. This article is a summary of the complete study which can be ordered through the professional association website www. fachverband-klang.de (at the moment only in German).
Peter Hess™ sound massage is primarily a holistic relaxation method, and as such uses the sound of singing bowls to prevent and reduce stress and thereby reinforce health.
This is scientific proof in a study of 201 subjects. Within this examination, carried out by European Professional Association for Sound Massage Therapy (Europäischer Fachverband Klang-Massage-Therapie e.V.) in cooperation with Dr. Tanja Grotz Institute (Kollnburg), participating women and men aged 21 to 78 obtained five basic sound massages, given by trained Peter Hess sound massage practitioners on a weekly basis.

Method of implementation

The study participants were questioned respectively by means of standardized methods prior to the first sound massage (time of measurement MZP 1), after the fifth sound massage (=MZP 2) as well as five weeks (without any further intervention) after the last sound massage (=MZP 3) as shown in figure 1. The focus of examination was the effect of sound massage on stress management and body image (perception) of the subjects.

Definition: Stress management

Stress is part of daily life and in principal is not assessed negatively. However, caution is advised if stress lasts for a long time or becomes chronic.
All of us employ various strategies for coping with stress. These so-called stress management measures, however, are not always positive but sometimes even contribute to an increase in stress.

Therefore, the „Stress Management questionnaire according to Janke and Erdmann“ (SVF 120, 1997) applied within the framework of this study captures the following three tendencies of stress management measures:

• Positive stress management measures contributing to a reduction in stress (e.g. „relaxation“).
• Negative stress management measures increasing stress (e.g. „rumination“)
• Unspecific stress management measures requiring interpretation in the individual case (e.g. „agression“)

Definition: Body image

Apart from stress management, the consequences of intervention on the body image of the subjects was investigated.
This aspect was considered because body perception is the basis for stress-related symptoms – such as fatigue, tension, sleep disorders and similar – being noticed as such at all. The earlier the adequate reaction to such symptoms, the less stress is manifested as disease at the physical or mental level. In the present study, body image means the subjective body experience of a person; the mental image a person visualizes of his/her own physical appearance. It comprises all body-related attitudes and feelings and consequently is part of our self-concept. For capturing body image, the »Questionnaire on the body image according to Clement and Löwe« (FKB-20, 1996) was applied, which distinguishes between the following dimensions:

• Vital body dynamics (VKD) describing to what extent strength, fitness and health is perceived and body-intensive activities such as sexuality and dancing are detected.
• Denying body assessment (AKB) capturing the judgmental description of one’s own body appearance as well as the feeling of coherence and well-being in one’s own body.

Results of the study

The results of the study showed that both stress management and body image of the subjects were positively influenced by intervention, and study results proved long-term effects–and this with just five sound massages!

Stress management

With regard to stress management there was an increase in »positive stress management measures« and a reduction of »negative stress management measures«, respectively; meaning a positive impact on stress management (fig. 2).

Positive stress management measures:

All in all, ten different »positive stress management measures« were raised. In four, a significant change was substantiated at MZP 2; which was respectively positively directed.
As shown in the graphics (fig. 3), long-term effects could be partly proven. Surprisingly, the stress management measure »relaxation« was accompanied by a further positive impact of the value beyond intervention. This indicates a sustainable positive effect of intervention on this stress management measure.
The »positive stress management measures«, »diversion«, »compensatory satisfaction«, »situation control«, »reaction control«, »self-affirmation« and »positive selfinstruction « have not been influenced. Accordingly, no long-term effect on these stress management strategies was investigated.
None of the »positive stress management measures« involved a negative impact.

Negative stress management measures:

As far as »negative stress management measures« are concerned, fi ve of six strategies raised revealed a signifi cant change in comparison of MZP 1 to MZP 2 which were respectively positively directed (fi g.3).
As shown in the graphics (fi g. 3), a long-term effect was proven with regard to the stress management measure »escape«. Surprisingly, the other measures revealed an even further positive change in values comparing MZP 2 and MZP 3 over the fi ve weeks beyond intervention. This indicates a sustainable positive impact of intervention on these stress management measures. No impact of intervention was evident with regard to the stress management measure »social isolation«. Accordingly, no long-term effect was investigated.
None of the »negative stress management measures« revealed a negative impact.

Unspecific stress management measures:

As far as unspecifi c stress management measures are concerned, two of four measures revealed a signifi cant change if comparing MZP 1 and MZP 2 (fi g. 4).
As shown in the graphics (fi g. 4), a long-term effect was proven with regard to the stress management measure »avoidance«. Surprisingly, the stress management measure »aggression« revealed a further positive change in values if comparing MZP 2 and MZP 3, indicating a sustainable impact of intervention on this measure.
The two unspecifi c stress management measures »social need for support and »taking pharmaceuticals« did
not show any impact. Therefore, no long-term effect with regard to these measures was investigated.
Even if the changes of »unspecifi c stress management measures« require investigation in the individual case, the decrease in values with regard to the measure »aggression « should be assessed positively.

Body image

With regard to body image, the results prove a positive impact on body image by intervention if comparing MZP 1 and MZP 2. As shown in the graphics (fi g. 5), there was an increase of »vital body dynamics« as well as a reduction of »negative body image« if comparing MZP 1 and MZP 2, which respectively means a positive impact. Moreover, it is shown in the graphics that a long-term effect was proven with regard to »vital body dynamics« and »negative body image« revealed a further signifi cant change in value if comparing MZP 2 and MZP 3, which was positively directed. This indicates that intervention has a sustainable effect on negative body image. No negative impact caused by intervention with regard to the body image was observed.

Core findings

This pilot study provides the first empirical evidence that the intervention »Peter Hess Basic Sound Massages « has positive effects on stress management and body image of clients (subjects). These results are summarized in the following core findings:
• The intervention »Peter Hess Basic Sound Massage« shows effects on stress management and body image.
• Without exception, the effects shown in the study can be considered positive–apart from the changes of »unspecific stress management measures«, which require individual assessment.
• Intervention did not reveal any negative effect.
• Long-term effects could be partly proven.
• Surprisingly, there was a positive impact of the values even after termination of intervention.

Supplementary case examples

Even if the changes in values appear minor at first sight, they are of major importance for practice and individual cases. For clarification, here are some supplementary case examples documented by sound massage practitioners based on a non-standardized questionnaire.

Case example 1:
A 41 year old female subject complains about tension in the shoulder and neck area, internal unrest, tension and restless sleep. At night she frequently lies in bed awake and broods. After the first sound massage she reports in the follow-up conversation that the tensions have decreased and that she feels she has slept through the night. In the course of the following sound sessions her sleeping habits improve up to a very good night sleep, after which she feels well-rested in the morning. Even her shoulder and neck pain has improved from one session to the next.
After the fourth sound massage her physical pain has disappeared and after the fifth sound massage she reports to the sound massage practitioner that she feels generally more balanced and calm, and in stressful situations perceives an inner calm.

Case example 2:
A 43 year old female subject reports about developing back pain after driving the car for approximately half an hour–effects of an ancient back injury incurred during judo. After the first sound massage she describes her experience during sound massage: “It was indescribable, not able to describe in words… I had the feeling of floating in space, diving and flying away!” After this sound session she is feeling “very free.”
Already during the second session she reports that after the first sound massage she did not have any more pain while driving the car. After the second sound massage she says in the follow-up conversation that she has the feeling of being better able to let problems go, that during sound massage she can excellently relax and that sound massage makes her expand: “a feeling of deep security and a beautiful inner peace.”
Also in the following sessions she reports a “free and relaxed feeling in the pain area” which also continues until the end of intervention. After the fifth session she says she is entirely fascinated by the effect of sound and that she feels vibrations flowing through her entire body; she has the feeling of her bones still swinging [ringing] for a long time. She says: “The bowls are simply great, so different and long lasting” and that she has the feeling that “the bowls put things straight.”

Case example 3:

A 40 year old male subject reports he is frequently under serious occupational time pressure and complains about shoulder and neck tension. He is skeptical of the method of sound massage, but also curious. Already during the first sound massage he can rapidly engage and relax well, but in the follow-up conversation says he feels his feet are “cut off.” In the preliminary talk of the second session he happily reports: “I have gone into a difficult meeting totally relaxed!” and after the sound massage he says: “I am feeling like a different person, my head is exactly as it should be and nothing hurts!”
After the third sound massage he surprisingly comments: “I wouldn‘t have thought I was able to let loose so well!” In summary, he says after the fifth sound massage that he feels very awake and relaxed and experiences his everyday life as “less distressing.” He says: “I feel very comfortable, perhaps I will also manage now to lose weight.” Even his wife has noticed that he worries less; so has the subject. During the time of sound massage intervention the subject was in the process of a professional change. He says that sound treatment has helped him to “feel well and grounded, to express [his] wishes without shyness and finally to get everything exactly the way he wished.”

Case example 4:
A 58 year old male subject suffered internal unrest, insomnia and occasional back pain. He reports he works in a sitting position, and that an examination is imminent. After the first sound massage he was very impressed by its effect. During sound massage he falls asleep again and again. Retrospectively, the subject said that the sound treatments help him to learn better by omitting different things “and it was a lot easier than expected!” said the client. He has contrived a model for the future how to better cope with his work by striking a new path! Despite high exam stress and against all expectations he passed the examination straightaway.

Case example 5:
A 52 year old female subject reporting difficulties sleeping during stress situations says that during the week after sound massage she is able to respectively sleep well. After the fifth sound massage she says: “Relaxation starts already when thinking of sound massage!”

Conclusion

The pilot study provides first empirical findings for the effect of Peter Hess Basic Sound Massage. It supplies various approaches for further research and interesting results for different fields of practice such as health promotion, pedagogics or therapy. Additionally, the case examples allow insight into the subjective perception of the effect of sound massage.
It can be concluded that sound massage may be an ideal application for strengthening one’s own health. It may support a balanced relationship between tension and relaxation as well as a good body perception, which are important component parts of holistic health promotion. For this reason it may contribute to avoidance or reduction of numerous stress-related physical symptoms and diagnoses such as cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, back pain, and headache or insomnia; which the majority of the population is affected by nowadays.

Dr. phil. Christina M. Koller
is Dipl. Sozialoädagogin (FH) and earned her doctorate at the University Bamberg about the use of sound in educational working areas. She has been working with the Peter Hess® Institute for a long time. She also is the coeditor of various books published by the Peter Hess Verlag.