Stress, when left unmanaged, can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health, contributing to conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, and even cardiovascular disease. Effective stress management therapies may help maintain overall well-being and reduce the risk of long-term health complications. The Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a novel manual therapy that may reduce markers related to stress such as heart rate variability (HRV) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential for PRRT to improve HRV and PROs.
This randomized, controlled experimental intervention study evaluates acute impacts of a reflex-targeted manual therapy called Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) on cardiovascular indices of stress and sympathetic tone. After consenting and baseline characteristics, subjects are allocated to receive either the PRRT or the control condition. Continuous electrocardiography (ECG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) monitoring will be used to track heart rate variability (HRV) changes across three phases: 1. Pre-intervention during a 5-minute video of aquatic nature scenes to establish resting baseline 2. 5 minutes of a practitioner administering targeted spinal manipulation PRRT protocol in the treatment group to stimulate innate protective reflexes OR continued relaxation video viewing for control group 3. Post-intervention repeat of the standardized video to assess changes after PRRT session without ongoing manipulation The PRRT targets precise anatomical locations and neural pathways including stimulating facial muscles, upper spinal reflexes and traction of the suboccipital muscles. Brief, reversible sensations will occur without expected harm or lasting effects. Psychological state assessed via paper mood scales pre/post tracks subjective stress correlates. Analysis using linear mixed effects models contrast whether indices of cardiovascular reactivity and psychological responses shift acutely with PRRT versus control video. Findings could provide physiological validation for integration as stress-alleviating treatment.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Primal Reflex Release Technique (PRRT) is a non-invasive complementary hands-on treatment method intended to help relax the central nervous system by gently stimulating innate protective reflexes. A certified practitioner applies light tactile stimulation to targeted areas in a structured sequence postulated to help release hypertonic muscles, restore regulation of automatic responses, and enable a calm, parasympathetic state.
ISMaRT Clinic
Moscow, Idaho, United States
ECG Data
ECG will be used to derive respiratory sinus arrythmia (RSA), which will be derived as the natural-logged spectral power value in the high-frequency bandwidth (0.15-0.40 Hz).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
ICG Data
ICG will be used to derive pre-ejection period (PEP), which represents the time between the onset of ventricular depolarization and the opening of the aortic valve.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) - Depression
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) is a set of three self-report scales designed to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress. Each of the three DASS-21 scales contains 7 items, divided into subscales with similar content. The depression scale assesses dysphoria, hopelessness, devaluation of life, self-deprecation, lack of interest / involvement, anhedonia and inertia. Scores for depression are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items (0-42) with higher scores indicating greater levels of depression.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) - Anxiety
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) is a set of three self-report scales designed to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress. Each of the three DASS-21 scales contains 7 items, divided into subscales with similar content. The anxiety scale assesses autonomic arousal, skeletal muscle effects, situational anxiety, and subjective experience of anxious affect. Scores for anxiety are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items (0-42) with higher scores indicating greater levels of anxiety.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) - Stress
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) is a set of three self-report scales designed to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety and stress. Each of the three DASS-21 scales contains 7 items, divided into subscales with similar content. The anxiety scale assesses autonomic arousal, skeletal muscle effects, situational anxiety, and subjective experience of anxious affect. The stress scale is sensitive to levels of chronic nonspecific arousal. It assesses difficulty relaxing, nervous arousal, and being easily upset / agitated, irritable / over-reactive and impatient. Scores for stress are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items (0-42) with higher scores indicating greater stress.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ)
The SIMPAQ is used to determine the average amount of time that participants spend exercising per day.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Self Assessment Manikin (SAM) - Valence
Assessment of valence ranging on a 9-point scale from 1 (feeling pleasant) to 9 (feeling unpleasant).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
Self Assessment Manikin (SAM) - Arousal
Assessment of arousal ranging on a 9-point scale from 1 (feeling excited) to 9 (feeling calm).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.