The Effects of Stone Massage Therapy on Abdominal Obesity Reduction

스톤마사지 테라피가 복부비만의 감소에 미치는 영향

This study has the purpose to examine the effects of stone massage therapy on abdominal obesity reduction. 10 sessions for 5 weeks two times a week of stone massage therapy were offered to 43 adult females who were 40s through 70s with 27% or more of body fat and the results were analyzed. The body composition like body fat mass, fat free mass, weight and skeletal muscular mass etc and the degrees of obesity like body fat ratio abdominal fat ratio were measured and analyzed before and after stone massage therapy. The results are as follows: First, the subjects were obese body type and stone massage therapy produced positive effects with body fat mass, fat free mass, weight and BMI value slightly less than before the therapy. Second, as the average values of body fat ratio and waist hip ratio of subject were significantly different statistically before and after the therapy, stone massage therapy was found to be effective in reducing abdominal obesity. Third, as for the change of waist hip ratio, the therapy was found to be effective in reducing waist hip ratio that 40s decreased insignificantly after the therapy, and 50s and 60s significantly at p<0.05 level respectively from 0.92 to 0.90 and from 0.93 to 0.92. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that stone massage therapy has positive effects on abdominal obesity reduction, and can contribute to healthy life and well-being culture.