The effect of glucose on cardiac reactivity to a standardized massage in healthy adults.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 41876065 · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2026.113367
What was done
Ninety-four healthy adults (mean age 22.84 years, 71.28% female) were randomized to ingest either glucose or water prior to receiving a standardized massage or a rest condition, followed by a sustained attention task. Researchers measured blood glucose, blood pressure, subjective arousal and pleasure, and autonomic cardiac activity via electrocardiography and impedance cardiography. Parasympathetic activity was assessed via root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), while sympathetic activity was measured via pre-ejection period (PEP).
What was found
The abstract reports no exact numerical values, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. Both massage and rest interventions increased parasympathetic activity and decreased subjective arousal. Glucose intake increased sympathetic activity and prevented typical sympathetic withdrawal during massage, but showed no evidence of modulating parasympathetic reactivity. Sympathetic activity increased during the sustained attention task, where higher blood glucose levels correlated with better task performance.
Why it matters
These findings suggest acute glucose consumption selectively alters sympathetic cardiac regulation rather than parasympathetic tone during relaxation interventions, potentially counteracting the physiological de-arousal effects of massage while supporting cognitive performance.
Limits
The abstract omits exact statistical metrics, baseline fasting conditions, glucose dosages, and group-specific sample sizes. The sample is skewed toward young, predominantly female adults, limiting generalizability to older populations or clinical groups with autonomic or metabolic dysregulation.
Cited by
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