Feldenkrais Method and Stress-Related Responses in Adult Women

NCT07175974 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FM-2023-PILOT
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study aimed to explore whether the Feldenkrais Method, a gentle movement and awareness practice, could help reduce stress and improve well-being in sedentary adult women. Twenty-four women aged 26-59 years were recruited. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group, which completed eight consecutive daily Feldenkrais sessions (90 minutes each), or to a control group. Before and after the program, all participants were assessed for: resting heart rate (HR), averaged over 5 minutes, and heart rate variability (HRV) to measure nervous system balance; total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW), and a marker of stress response, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis index, using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); weight and height; and questionnaires to evaluate psychological well-being and self-compassion.

Conditions

Stress, Psychological; Autonomic Nervous System; Hydration; Healthy Volunteers

Keywords

Feldenkrais Method; Mind-Body Intervention; Stress Adaptation; Body Fluid Balance; Psychological Well-Being; Self-Compassion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (10)

• Total Body Water (TBW)

  Total body water measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in liters (L).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Extracellular Water (ECW)

  Extracellular water measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in liters (L).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Index

  Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis index measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), expressed as phase angle (PA°).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Resting Heart Rate (HR)

  Resting heart rate measured using a Polar H10 chest strap, calculated as the average heart rate over a 5-minute period, in beats per minute (bpm).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Standard Deviation of NN intervals (SDNN)

  SDNN measured from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software, in milliseconds (ms).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD)

  RMSSD measured from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software, in milliseconds (ms).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Very Low Frequency (VLF) Power

  VLF power measured from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software, in milliseconds squared (ms²).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Low Frequency (LF) Power

  LF power measured from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software, in milliseconds squared (ms²).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• High Frequency (HF) Power

  HF power measured from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software, in milliseconds squared (ms²).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• LF/HF Ratio

  LF/HF ratio calculated from heart rate variability using a Polar H10 chest strap and Kubios HRV software (unitless).

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS)

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

Other Outcomes (2)

• Weight

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

• Height

  Baseline and post-intervention (8 days)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group - Feldenkrais Method

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants attended eight consecutive "Awareness Through Movement" (ATM) sessions of the Feldenkrais Method, each lasting 90 minutes, over 8 days (total 12 hours). The protocol focused on improving upper limb functionality, integration with trunk movement, posture, coordination, and body awareness.

Behavioral: Feldenkrais Method - Awareness Through Movement (ATM)

Control Group - No Intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants did not receive any intervention or structured physical activity during the 8-day study period. They continued their usual daily routines.

Interventions

Feldenkrais Method - Awareness Through Movement (ATM) BEHAVIORAL

Participants attended eight consecutive sessions of the Feldenkrais Method, each lasting 90 minutes, over 8 days (total 12 hours). Sessions focused on enhancing upper limb functionality, trunk integration, posture, coordination, body awareness, and somatic regulation through slow, mindful, guided movements.

Intervention Group - Feldenkrais Method

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female (age ≥18 years)
• Healthy (no musculoskeletal disorders or other conditions limiting participation in the Feldenkrais Method protocol)
• Sedentary lifestyle (\<150 min/week of moderate-intensity physical activity or \<75 min/week of vigorous-intensity activity)

You may not qualify if:

• Male
• Presence of acute or chronic medical conditions
• Current pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Palermo: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo. Centro Forte Feldenkrais di Caterina Forte

Palermo, Palermo, 90144, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Participants were assigned to either the Feldenkrais Method intervention group or the control group based on availability and willingness to attend all sessions. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention for both groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2025
• First Posted: September 16, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2023
• Study Completion: July 1, 2023
• Last Updated: September 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)