Author: Jensen AM, Ramasamy A, Hall MW.
Affiliation: 1Department of Primary Care and Continuing Professional Development, University of Oxford, United Kingdom 2Parker Research Institute, Parker University, Dallas, Texas 3Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom 4Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom 5Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Kings College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom 6Center for Academics, Parker University, Dallas, Texas.
Conference/Journal: J Strength Cond Res.
Date published: 2012 Aug
Other:
Volume ID: 26 , Issue ID: 8 , Pages: 2103-2112 , Word Count: 297
ABSTRACT: Jensen, AM, Ramasamy, A, and Hall, MW. Improving general flexibility with a mind-body approach: A randomized, controlled trial using Neuro Emotional Technique®. J Strength Cond Res 26(8): 2103-2112, 2012-General flexibility is a key component of health, well-being, and general physical conditioning. Reduced flexibility has both physical and mental/emotional etiologies and can lead to musculoskeletal injuries and athletic underperformance. Few studies have tested the effectiveness of a mind-body therapy on general flexibility. The aim of this study was to investigate if Neuro Emotional Technique® (NET), a mind-body technique shown to be effective in reducing stress, can also improve general flexibility. The sit-and-reach test (SR) score was used as a measure of general flexibility. Forty-five healthy participants were recruited from the general population and assessed for their initial SR score before being randomly allocated to receive (a) two 20-minute sessions of NET (experimental group); (b) two 20-minute sessions of stretching instruction (active control group); or (c) no intervention or instruction (passive control group). After intervention, the participants were reassessed in a similar manner by the same blind assessor. The participants also answered questions about demographics, usual water and caffeine consumption, and activity level, and they completed an anxiety/mood psychometric preintervention and postintervention. The mean (SD) change in the SR score was +3.1 cm (2.5) in the NET group, +1.2 cm (2.3) in the active control group and +1.0 cm (2.6) in the passive control group. Although all the 3 groups showed some improvement, the improvement in the NET group was statistically significant when compared with that of either the passive controls (p = 0.015) or the active controls (p = 0.021). This study suggests that NET could provide an effective treatment in improving general flexibility. A larger study is required to confirm these findings and also to assess longer term effectiveness of this therapy on general flexibility.
PMID: 22814766