Background: There is some evidence about effects of cosmetic therapy from aspects of physiology like brain. However, there are few studies from both automatic nervous system and psychology, and we needed evidence from this aspect. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain evidence of cosmetic therapy in the short and long term on automatic nervous system and psychology of elders. Method: The design of this study was a single arm pre/post pilot study. Participants were healthy elders who could move for themselves and communicate with others. In experiment 1, 14 healthy elders received cosmetic therapy once and a researcher measured automatic nervous systems by an instrument pre and post (short-term). It measured LF (Low Frequency: sympathetic nerve), HF (Hight frequency: parasympathetic nerve), and LF/HF (balance of LF and HF). LF/HF high score shows high activity and well-being. We used this indication. In experiment 2, the same elders received cosmetic therapy as second session after a week (long term) and completed the Profile of Mood Scale 2 (MOMS 2) and questions about impression for cosmetic therapy in “Motivation”, “Waking up”, “Comfort”, and “Vigor” by 10 Likert scale. Results: In Experiment 1, there was significant difference between pre and post about LF/HF (p < .01). In experiment 2, there was also significant difference between pre and post about LF/HF (p < .05). As for POMS, Tension and Anxiety significantly decreased, and Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) also significantly decreased after cosmetic therapy. Scores of impressions about “Motivation”, “Waking up”, “Comfort”, and “Vigor” were over 7.0 point in 10 full score. Conclusion: These results suggest that both short and long term cosmetic therapy affected automatic nervous system. And cosmetic therapy particularly affected tension-anxiety and total mood disturbance. Impression for cosmetic therapy was high. Cosmetic therapy may be useful for elders in both automatic nervous system and psychological aspect.
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