Effects of stone spa (Ganban-yoku) on psychological states.

This uncontrolled intervention study explored the effects of stone spa use on the psychological states of women. Sixty-eight female volunteers (mean age 37.5 years (standard deviation 14.8)) recruited at a women-only stone spa facility participated in the study. They completed the short-form Profile of Moods States (POMS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after stone spa use in order to determine changes in mood and anxiety states. Six factors relating to mood were measured using the POMS: Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, Vigor, Fatigue, and Confusion. The two anxiety concepts of state anxiety and trait anxiety were also measured. The scores for Tension-Anxiety and Anger-Hostility and both anxiety measures were improved statistically after stone spa use. Stone spa use shows considerable promise for improving mood and reducing anxiety. Since this study was a descriptive, prospective and uncontrolled intervention study, further investigation of these promising findings is warranted.