Does manipulative therapy with sodium chloride-fortified coconut (SCFC) oil affect cardio-respiratory variables in healthy individuals?

Background: Sodium chloride-fortified coconut (SCFC) oil massage is one of the manipulative procedures under the umbrella of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which is commonly employed as a wellness strategy. Due to the lack of scientific evidence, to implement it as a therapeutic tool, the goal of the current study was to evaluate how SCFC oil massage affected the cardio-respiratory characteristics of volunteers in good health.

Methods: The present study was a randomized control trial. Includes healthy volunteers of age group from 18 to 25 years with both males and females. 52 healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups, 26 in each group. At baseline and 5 min after the intervention, the study group's heart rate variability (HRV), galvanic skin response (GSR), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured. The control group was given supine rest and an oil massage from SCFC.

Results: Our research showed that the study group had increased sympathetic activity following SCFC oil massage, as evidenced by a substantial decrease in average rr (p < 0.001) and an increase in heart rate (HR) (p < 0.001) as compared to the control group. There was no significant difference was noted in GSR and RR. Repeated measure ANOVA (RM-ANOVA) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) showed a significant difference over 30 min after the intervention [F (2, 120) = 12.5, p < 0.001].

Conclusion: According to the current study's findings, sympathetic arousal was noted following the SCFC oil massage. Therefore, while using it as a therapeutic tool, it is best to recommend appropriate rest or relaxation post-intervention.