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Rhythmic Massage Therapy

Pilot study for participants with type 1 diabetes and stress

Coloured pencil drawing in yellow of hands massaging a back

Overview

Do you also feel stressed by the constant ups and downs of your blood sugar levels or the constant attention you have to pay to the numerous factors that influence your sugar levels? Or have you become so accustomed to it that you no longer even notice the stress it causes your nervous system?

 

We have found a wonderful treatment:

Rhythmic massage therapy according to Wegmann/Hauschka (anthroposophic medicine).


In this exploratory study, we want to investigate whether this very gentle form of massage can have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system —measured by heart rate variability (HRV) as well as other stress/inflammation markers and questionnaires/interviews.

Duration of study & procedure

What can you expect?

  • 14 applications (2 treatment blocks): Block A: 7× weekly (7 weeks) → 4-week break (over Christmas & New Year) → Block B: 7× weekly (7 weeks).
  • Approx. 90 min per appointment (treatment + rest period).
  • Long-term HRV ECG (patch) at several measurement windows (24–48 hours wearing time), easy to wear in everyday life.
  • Samples from home: capillary blood (finger prick) for hsCRP (3 times during the course) and morning urine for neopterin (3 times during the course).
  • Questionnaires on stress experience, diabetes distress, and body perception.
  • Interviews about your personal experience with the treatment.

 

Total time required (guideline): 14 appointments of 90 minutes each.
Measurement window with wearable ECG patch 5x (approx. 1–2 days wearing time).
From home: 3× capillary blood and 3× morning urine, several short questionnaires.

Who can participate? (Brief overview)

People who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate:

  • Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (usually ≥ 2 years)
  • Aged 18–70
  • Who have continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) available.

 

We will conduct a non-binding preliminary interview to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

 

Exclusions (selection):

  • significant autonomic neuropathy
  • severe cardiac/psychological disorders
  • relevant new medication (except insulin)
  • pregnancy/breastfeeding
  • night shift work
  • substance abuse

 

Why is it worth participating?

  • Contribution to research: Support for an important pilot project on integrative care for T1D.
  • Potential personal benefits: Possible improvement in stress regulation/HRV and body awareness
  • Gentle procedures: Massage treatments are generally well tolerated; samples are taken from capillaries/urine
  • You will receive 14 free sessions of rhythmic massage therapy from a highly experienced therapist, worth approximately €700, completely free of charge in return for your participation (examinations, questionnaires, interviews).

Interested? Here's what to do next

  • Get in touch (email/phone number below)
  • Brief informational meeting & preliminary review of criteria
  • Written consent (after consideration period) & scheduling

Contact person for questions about the study


Yannick Böwer (M. Sc.), Physical therapist, alternative practitioner, and lecturer
Phone: 0151 44997751

Email: info@naturheilpraxis-boewer.de 

Director of studies