BACKGROUND: The physiotherapeutic technique of Vojta reflex locomotion is often accompanied by various autonomic activity changes and unpleasant sensations. It is unknown whether these effects are specific to Vojta Therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare changes in cardiac autonomic control after Vojta reflex locomotion stimulation and after an appropriate sham stimulation. METHODS: A total of 28 young healthy adults (20.4 - 25.7 years) were enrolled in this single-blind randomized cross-over study. Participants underwent two modes of 20-minute sustained manual pressure stimulation on the surface of the foot on two separate visits. One mode used manual pressure on the lateral heel, i.e., in a zone employed in the Vojta Therapy (active stimulation). The other mode used pressure on the lateral ankle (control), in an area not included among the active zones used by Vojta Therapy and whose activation does not evoke manifestations of reflex locomotion. Autonomic nervous system activity was evaluated using spectral analysis of heart rate variability before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The active stimulation was perceived as more unpleasant than the control stimulation. Heart rate variability parameters demonstrated almost identical autonomic responses after both stimulation types, showing either modest increase in parasympathetic activity, or increased heart rate variability with similar contribution of parasympathetic and sympathetic activity. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate changes of cardiac autonomic control in both active and control stimulation, without evidence for a significant difference between the two.
- MeSH
- autonomní nervový systém fyziologie MeSH
- dechová frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fyzikální stimulace metody MeSH
- jednoduchá slepá metoda MeSH
- klinické křížové studie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- noha (od hlezna dolů) fyziologie MeSH
- reflexní terapie metody MeSH
- srdeční frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- tlak MeSH
- zdraví dobrovolníci pro lékařské studie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fyziologický stres komplikace psychologie MeSH
- kardiovaskulární nemoci prevence a kontrola psychologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- psychologické testy statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- psychosomatické poruchy trendy MeSH
- spektrální analýza psychologie MeSH
- srdce fyziologie MeSH
- srdeční frekvence fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- srovnávací studie MeSH
