Self-touch versus muscle relaxation

Short-term benefits for physical well-being and body appreciation

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21283643
AutoresAnne Schienle (0000-0003-2173-6626, Graz University of Technology, autor de correspondencia), Markus Boeckle (0000-0002-0738-2764, Universitätsklinikum Tulln), Jolana Wagner‐Skacel (0000-0003-0771-4543, Klinik für Psychosomatik), Sabrina Mörkl (0000-0001-5034-6358, Klinik für Psychosomatik), Barbara Pammer (0000-0002-4282-4775, Graz University of Technology)
Año2026
Volumen267
Páginas107170
Fecha de publicación2026-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.107170
PMID42208225
OpenAlexW7162681761
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas32

OBJECTIVES: Body-focused relaxation techniques, such as Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), have been shown to reduce physical tension and alleviate negative emotions. This pilot study employed a randomized crossover design to compare the short-term effects of a single video-guided session of PMR and self-touch (Idiopraxy) on perceived tension, well-being, and state body appreciation. METHODS: A total of n = 134 university students (M = 25 years, 72% female) completed single sessions of Idiopraxy and PMR (randomized sequence; separated by a 24-hour break). Immediately before and after a session, participants rated their affective and bodily states (mental/physical tension, emotional/physical well-being, body appreciation). They also completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of anxiety, depression, somatization, and trait body appreciation. Finally, participants rated their overall liking of the practices. RESULTS: p = 0.05). A preference for Idiopraxy over PMR was associated with female gender and no other assessed variable. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide preliminary evidence that guided self-touch may have benefits for momentary body appreciation and physical well-being beyond those of PMR. Given the single-session design, reliance on self-report, and non-clinical student sample, the results should be interpreted cautiously and warrant replication in longer-term and clinical studies

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