The Effect Of Thermal Massage On Human T-Lymphocyte And Natural Killer Cell Function

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effect of thermomechanical massage on human immune cell function. Immunological studies were performed on 10 healthy volunteers (average age: 24 years). Subjects were asked to lie on a thermomechanical massage device (TMD), for 20 minutes, twice a week, for a total of 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected before entry into the study and at the beginning of the 16th session. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and were evaluated for immunophenotypic characteristics as well as for the functional parameters of T-lymphocytes (T cells) and natural killer (NK) cells. T cell proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. NK cell mediated cytotoxicity was determined by a non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay kit using flow cytometry. Immunophenotyping of the peripheral blood lymphocytes showed increased percentages of T cells (CD3+), T cell subsets (CD4+ and CD8+), and NK cells (CD16+CD56+). Functional analysis revealed a significant increase in T cell proliferative response to PHA, a polyclonal T cell mitogen, and a significant increase in NK cell cytotoxicity following the use of TMD. We conclude that use of TMD twice a week may modulate immune function and may be beneficial in subjects with impaired immune function, such as aging individuals and HIV patients.