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

OBJECTIVES: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: ₚ = 0.05). A preference for Idiopraxy over PMR was associated with female gender and no other assessed variable. CONCLUSIONS: 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.