Effect of vestibular stimulation on stress and cardiovascular parameters in healthy college students.

Stress is a major public health problem, which affects most of the systems of the body. It was hypothesized that vestibular stimulation inhibits both the stress axis in direct and indirect ways and relieves stress. The current study aimed to provide further scientific evidence for soothing effects of vestibular stimulation and validate traditional knowledge to strengthen the basis for including vestibular stimulation as a life-style practice. 240 Healthy college students (120 males and 120 females) aged 18-24 years of either sex were included in this study after obtaining written consent from them. Vestibular stimulation was administered by making the participants to swing on a swing in back to front direction, according to their comfort, as per standardized methods. Assessment of stress was performed before and after intervention using stress questionnaire and measuring cortisol levels, blood pressure and pluse rate. Cortisol, stress score, pulse rate, systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressure were significantly decreased and remained in normal limits following vestibular stimulation. The present study provides evidence for beneficial effects of vestibular stimulation as an intervention for stress. Hence vestibular stimulation may be considered as a possible adjunctive therapy for those experiencing stress