Self-touch versus muscle relaxation: Short-term benefits for physical well-being and body appreciation

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.

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.

Both techniques significantly reduced reported tension, and increased well-being and state body appreciation with large effect sizes (η²ₚ = 0.19-0.45). Idiopraxy was associated with greater improvements in body appreciation (η²ₚ = 0.03) and physical well-being (η²ₚ = 0.05). A preference for Idiopraxy over PMR was associated with female gender and no other assessed variable.

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.