Relieving stress and strengthening health with
Peter Hess®-sound massage
A pilot study of the European Association for Sound Massage
Therapy e.V. in cooperation with the Dr. Tanja Grotz Institute
Dr. Phil. Christina M. Koller & Dr. Tanja Grotz
Executive Summary
For the first time, the effect of Peter Hess™ sound
massage with regard to stress management and body
image was investigated scientifically. This article is a
summary of the complete study which can be orde-
red through the professional association website www.
fachverband-klang.de.
Peter Hess™ sound massage is primarily a holistic rela-
xation method, and as such uses the sound of singing
bowls to prevent and reduce stress and thereby rein-
force health.
This is scientific proof in a study of 201 subjects. Within
this examination, carried out by European Professio-
nal Association for Sound Massage Therapy (Europä-
ischer Fachverband Klang-Massage-Therapie e.V.) in
cooperation with Dr. Tanja Grotz Institute (Kollnburg),
participating women and men aged 21 to 78 obtained
five basic sound massages, given by trained Peter Hess
sound massage practitioners on a weekly basis.
Method of implementation
The study participants were questioned respectively by
means of standardized methods prior to the first sound
massage (time of measurement MZP 1), after the fifth
sound massage (=MZP 2) as well as five weeks (without
any further intervention) after the last sound massage
(=MZP 3) as shown in figure 1.
European Professional Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Bruchhausen-Vilsen, 2018
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
The focus of examination was the effect of sound mas-
sage on stress management and body image (percepti-
on) of the subjects.
Definition: Stress management
Stress is part of daily life and in principal is not as-
sessed negatively. However, caution is advised if stress
lasts for a long time or becomes chronic.
All of us employ various strategies for coping with
stress. These so-called stress management measures,
however, are not always positive but sometimes even
contribute to an increase in stress.
Therefore, the »Stress Management questionnaire ac-
cording to Janke and Erdmann« (SVF 120, 1997) ap-
plied within the framework of this study captures the
following three tendencies of stress management
measures:
s Positive stress management measures contributing
to a reduction in stress (e.g. »relaxation«).
s Negative stress management measures increasing
stress (e.g. »rumination«).
s Unspecific stress management measures requiring
interpretation in the individual case (e.g. »aggression«).
1
Definition: Body image
Apart from stress management, the consequences of Stress management
intervention on the body image of the subjects was in- With regard to stress management there was an incre-
vestigated. This aspect was considered because body ase in »positive stress management measures« and a
perception is the basis for stress-related symptoms – reduction of »negative stress management measures«,
such as fatigue, tension, sleep disorders and similar – respectively; meaning a positive impact on stress ma-
Therefore, the »Stress Management questionnaire comprises all body-related attitudes and feelings and
being noticed as such at all. The earlier the adequate nagement (fig. 2).
according to Janke and Erdmann« (SVF 120, 1997) consequently is part of our self-concept. For capturing
reaction to such symptoms, the less stress is manifested
applied within the framework of this study captures body image, the »Questionnaire on the body image
as disease at the physical or mental level. In the present Positive stress management measures:
the following three tendencies of stress management according to Clement and Löwe« (FKB-20, 1996) was
study, body image means the subjective body experi- All in all, ten different »positive stress management
measures:
ence of a person; the mental image a person visualizes
applied, which distinguishes between the following
measures« were raised. In four, a significant change
of r
Positiveown
his/her stress management
physical measures
appearance. contributing
It comprises all dimensions:
was substantiated at MZP 2; which was respectively
to a reduction in stress (e.g. »relaxation«).
body-related attitudes and feelings and consequently r
Vital body
positively dynamics (VKD) describing to what
directed.
is r
Negative
part stress management
of our self-concept. measures
For capturing bodyincreasing
image, As extent
shown strength, fitness(fig.
in the graphics and3),health is perceived
long-term effects
stress (e.g. »rumination«).
the »Questionnaire on the body image according to and body-intensive activities such as sexuality
could be partly proven. Surprisingly, the stress ma- and
r
Unspecific
Clement and Löwe«stress management
(FKB-20, measures
1996) was applied, whichre- dancingmeasure
nagement are detected.
»relaxation« was accompanied by
quiring interpretation
distinguishes in the individual
between the following dimensions:case (e.g. ar
further
Denyingpositive
body assessment
impact of (AKB) capturing
the value beyond theinter-
judg-
»aggression«).
s Vital body dynamics (VKD) describing to what ex- mental
vention. description
This indicates aofsustainable
one’s own positive
body appearance
effect of
tent strength, fitness and health is perceived and as well ason
intervention thethis
feeling
stressof coherence and
management well-being
measure.
body-intensive activities such as sexuality and dan- Thein»positive
one’s own body.
stress management measures«, »diversi-
Definition: Body image
cing are detected. on«, »compensatory satisfaction«, »situation control«,
Apart
s frombody
Denying stress management,
assessment the consequences
(AKB) capturing the judg- of »reaction control«, »self-affirmation« and »positive self-
intervention on the of
mental description body
one’simage of the
own body subjectsaswas
appearance Results ofhave
instruction« thenot
study
been influenced. Accordingly, no
investigated.
well as the This aspect
feeling was considered
of coherence because body
and well-being in The resultseffect
long-term of the
on study showed
these stress that bothstrate-
management stress
one’s ownisbody.
perception the basis for stress-related symptoms – management and body image of the subjects were
gies was investigated.
such as fatigue, tension, sleep disorders and similar positively influencedstress
None of the »positive managementand
by intervention, measures«
study re-
Results of the as
– being noticed study
such at all. The earlier the adequate involved
sults a negative
proved impact.
long-term effects–and this with just five
The resultstoofsuch
reaction the study showedthe
symptoms, thatless
both stress
stress is ma-
mani- sound massages!
nagement
fested as and bodyatimage
disease of the subjects
the physical or mental werelevel.
po- In
sitively influenced
the present study,bybody
intervention,
image meansand study results
the subjective Stress management
proved long-term effects–and
body experience of a person;this
thewith
mentaljust image
five sound
a per- With regard to stress management there was an
massages!
son visualizes of his/her own physical appearance. It increase in »positive stress management measures«

Fig. 2: Graphical demonstration of the assessment of »positive stress management measures« and »negative stress management measures« on the whole–in
comparison with three times of measurement (MZP).

2
European Professional AssociationAssociation
European Professional for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Bruchhausen-Vilsen,
for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Uenzen 2014 2018 2
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
Negative stress management measures: al need for support« and »taking pharmaceuticals« did
As far as »negative stress management measures« are not show any impact. Therefore, no long-term effect
concerned, five of six strategies raised revealed a signi- with regard to these measures was investigated.
ficant change in comparison of MZP 1 to MZP 2 which Even if the changes of »unspecific stress management
were respectively positively directed (fig.3). measures« require investigation in the individual case,
As shown in the graphics (fig. 3), a long-term effect was the decrease in values with regard to the measure »ag-
proven with regard to the stress management measu- gression« should be assessed positively.
re »escape«. Surprisingly, the other measures revealed
an even further positive change in values comparing Body image
MZP 2 and MZP 3 over the five weeks beyond inter- With regard to body image, the results prove a positi-
vention. This indicates a sustainable positive impact of ve impact on body image by intervention if comparing
intervention on these stress management measures. No MZP 1 and MZP 2. As shown in the graphics (fig. 5),
impact of intervention was evident with regard to the there was an increase of »vital body dynamics« as well
stress management measure »social isolation«. Accor- as a reduction of »negative body image« if comparing
dingly, no long-term effect was investigated. MZP 1 and MZP 2, which respectively means a positi-
None of the »negative stress management measures« ve impact. Moreover, it is shown in the graphics that
revealed a negative impact. a long-term effect was proven with regard to »vital
body dynamics« and »negative body image« revealed a
nofurther significant
long-term change
effect in value
on these if comparing
stress managementMZP 2
and MZP 3,
strategies which
was was positively directed. This indicates
investigated.
that intervention has a sustainable effect on negative
bodyof
None image. No negative
the »positive impact
stress caused by intervention
management measures«
with regard to the body
involved a negative impact. image was observed.

Negative stress management measures: ceutica

As far as »negative stress management measures« long-te
are concerned, five of six strategies raised revealed investi
a significant change in comparison of MZP 1 to MZP Even if
2 which were respectively positively directed (fig.3). measur
As shown in the graphics (fig. 3), a long-term effect the de
was proven with regard to the stress management »aggre
Fig. 3: Graphical valuation presentation of the (for MZP2 sigificant) influence
on „positive stress management measures“ to MZP3 measure »escape«. Surprisingly, the other measures
revealed an even further positive change in values com- Body im
and a reduction of »negative stress management paring MZP 2 and MZP 3 over the five weeks beyond
Unspecific stress management measures: With re
measures«, respectively;
As far as unspecific stressmeaning
management a positive
measures impact
are intervention. This indicates a sustainable positive impact
on stress management
concerned, (fig. 2). revealed a significant impact of intervention on these stress management
two of four measures MZP 1
change if comparing MZP 1 and MZP 2 (fig. 4). there w
Peter
As shownHess® singing
in the graphics bowls
(fig. 4), a long-term effect was
Nepal Importe / hess klangkonzepte seit 1989 / Varadas
Uenzer Dorfstr. 71 · D-27305 Uenzen · Germany
as a red
and
proveneverything
with regard to theforstress management measure phone: +49 (0) 4252-2411 · E-Mail: bestellung@hess-klangkonzepte.de MZP 1
the soundSurprisingly,
»avoidance«. massage the stress management mea- www.hess-klangkonzepte.de impact
sure »aggression« revealed a further positive change in long-te
Positive
values ifstress management
comparing MZP 2 and measures:
MZP 3, indicating a measures. No impact of intervention was evident with body d
All in all, ten
sustainable different
impact »positive stress
of intervention on thismanagement
measure. regard to therepresentation
Fig. 3: Graphical stress management
of the assessment ofmeasure
the affected »»negative
social a furth
stress management measures« during the three times of measurement
measures« were raised.
The two unspecific stress In four, a significant
management measureschange
»soci- isolation«.
(during MZP 2Accordingly,
significantly). no long-term effect was in- MZP 2
was substantiated at MZP 2; which was respectively vestigated. indicat
positively directed. European Professional Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy.
None of the »negative stress management
Bruchhausen-Vilsen, 2018 measures« 3 on neg
As shown in the graphics (fig. 3), long-term effects revealed a negative impact.
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
by inte
could be partly proven. Surprisingly, the stress ma- observ
(during MZP 2 significantly). MZP 2 and MZP 3, which was positively directed. This
indicates that intervention has a sustainable effect
onSupplementary case No
negative body image. examples
negative impact caused
byEven
intervention within regard
if the changes to theminor
values appear bodyatimage was
first sight,
observed.
they are of major importance for practice and individu-
al cases. For clarification, here are some supplementary
case examples documented by sound massage practiti-
Core
onersfindings
based on a non-standardized questionnaire.
of »unspecific stress management measures«, which up to a very good night sleep, after which she feels
This pilot study provides the first empirical eviden-
require individual assessment. well-rested in the morning. Even her shoulder and
ceCase
thatexample 1:
the intervention »Peter Hess Basic Sound
r
Intervention did not reveal any negative effect. neck pain has improved from complains
one session to the next.
Massages« has positive effects on stress about
A 41 year old female subject tension
management
r
4:Long-term effects ofcould be partly
of theproven.
affected »unspeci- After
in the the fourth sound
shoulder neck massage her unrest,
physical pain
image and area, internal tension
Fig. Graphical representation the assessment
fic stress management measures« at the times of the three measurements and body of clients (subjects).
r
Surprisingly, there was a positive impact of the hasanddisappeared
restless and
At after
night the
sheinfifth soundlies massage
(during MZP 2 significantly).
These results sleep.
are summarized frequently
the following in core
bed
values even after termination of intervention. she reports to the sound massage practitioner
awake and broods. After the first sound massage she that
findings:
she feelsingenerally
reports more balanced and
the follow-up thatcalm, and in
change in values if comparing MZP 2 and MZP 3, r
The intervention »Peterconversation
Hess Basic Sound theMassage«
tensions
Core findings stressful situations perceives
have decreased an she
innerhascalm.
indicating a sustainable impact of intervention on shows effectsandonthat she feels
stress management slept through
and body
Supplementary
This pilot study case
provides examples
the first empirical evidence the night. In the course of the following sound sessions
this measure. image.
Even
that if the
the changes in»Peter
intervention valuesHessappear
Basic minor
Sound atMas-
first Case her example
sleeping habits2: improve up to a very good night
The two unspecific stress management measures r
Without exception, the effects shown in the study
sight,
sages«they
has are of major
positive effectsimportance
on stress for practiceand
management and Asleep, 43 year oldwhich
after female shesubject reports about
feels well-rested in thedeveloping
morning.
»social need for support« and »taking pharma- can be considered positive–apart from the changes
individual
body imagecases. For clarification,
of clients (subjects). here are some sup- back Evenpain herafter driving
shoulder andtheneck
car for
painapproximately
has improvedhalf froman
plementary
These results case examplesindocumented
are summarized the following by coresound
fin- 4 hour–effects
one session to of the
an ancient
next. back injury incurred during
European Professional Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Uenzen 2014
massage
dings: practitioners based on a non-standardized Article from professionaljudo.
AfterAfter
journal the
Nr the first
fourth
7/2010 sound
sound massage
massage her she describes
physical pain hasher
questionnaire.
sThe intervention »Peter Hess Basic Sound Massage« experience
disappeared during sound
and after themassage:
fifth sound“It massage
was indescriba-
she re-
shows effects on stress management and body ports
ble, nottoablethe sound massage
to describe practitioner
in words... I hadthattheshe feels
feeling
Case example 1:
image. ofgenerally
floatingmore balanced
in space, and and
diving calm,flying
and inaway!”
stressful si-
After
AsWithout
41 year old female the
exception, subject complains
effects shown inabout the studyten- this tuations
soundperceives
session an sheinner calm. “very free.” Already
is feeling
sioncanin be
theconsidered
shoulder positive–apart
and neck area, from the changes
internal unrest, during the second session she reports that after the
of »unspecific
tension stresssleep.
and restless management
At night measures«, which
she frequently Casesound
first example 2: she did not have any more pain
massage
liesrequire
in bedindividual
awake and assessment.
broods. After the first sound while A 43driving
year oldthe female subject
car. After thereports
secondaboutsound developing
massage
sIntervention
massage did not in
she reports reveal
the any negativeconversation
follow-up effect. she says in the follow-up conversation that shehalf
back pain after driving the car for approximately has
sLong-term effects could be partly proven. an hour–effects
that the tensions have decreased and that she feels the feeling of being better able to let problems go,of an ancient back injury incurred du-
sSurprisingly,
she there was
has slept through thea positive
night. Inimpact of the of the that
the course ringduring
judo. After
sound themassage
first soundshemassage she describes
can excellently relax
values even after termination of intervention. her experience during sound massage: “It was indescri-
following sound sessions her sleeping habits improve and that sound massage makes her expand: “a feeling

Fig. 5: Graphical representation of the assessment of »Vital Body Dynamics« and »Negative Body Image« during the three times of measurement (MZP).

5
European Professional Association
European Professional for Sound-Masaage-Therapy.
Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy.Bruchhausen-Vilsen,
Uenzen 2014 2018 4
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
bable, not able to describe in words... I had the feeling
of floating in space, diving and flying away!” After this
sound session she is feeling “very free.” Already during
the second session she reports that after the first sound
massage she did not have any more pain while driving
the car. After the second sound massage she says in
the follow-up conversation that she has the feeling of
being better able to let problems go, that during sound
massage she can excellently relax and that sound mas-
sage makes her expand: “a feeling of deep security and
a beautiful inner peace.” Also in the following sessions
she reports a “free and relaxed feeling in the pain area”
which also continues until the end of intervention. Af-
ter the fifth session she says she is entirely fascinated
by the effect of sound and that she feels vibrations
flowing through her entire body; she has the feeling of
her bones still swinging [ringing] for a long time. She
says: “The bowls are simply great, so different and long
lasting” and that she has the feeling that “the bowls
put things straight.”
European Professional Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Bruchhausen-Vilsen, 2018
Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010
Case example 3:
A 40 year old male subject reports he is frequently un-
der serious occupational time pressure and complains
about shoulder and neck tension. He is skeptical of the
method of sound massage, but also curious. Already
during the first sound massage he can rapidly engage
and relax well, but in the follow-up conversation says
he feels his feet are “cut off.” In the preliminary talk of
the second session he happily reports: “I have gone into
a difficult meeting totally relaxed!” and after the sound
massage he says: “I am feeling like a different person,
my head is exactly as it should be and nothing hurts!”
After the third sound massage he surprisingly com-
ments: “I wouldn‘t have thought I was able to let loose
so well!” In summary, he says after the fifth sound mas-
sage that he feels very awake and relaxed and experi-
ences his everyday life as “less distressing.”
He says: “I feel very comfortable, perhaps I will also
manage now to lose weight.” Even his wife has noticed
that he worries less; so has the subject. During the time
5
of sound massage intervention the subject was in the
process of a professional change. He says that sound
treatment has helped him to “feel well and grounded,
to express [his] wishes without shyness and finally to
get everything exactly the way he wished.”
Case example 4:
A 58 year old male subject suffered internal unrest, in-
somnia and occasional back pain. He reports he works
in a sitting position, and that an examination is immi-
nent. After the first sound massage he was very im-
pressed by its effect. During sound massage he falls as-
leep again and again. Retrospectively, the subject said
that the sound treatments help him to learn better by
omitting different things “and it was a lot easier than
expected!” said the client. He has contrived a model for
the future how to better cope with his work by striking
a new path! Despite high exam stress and against all
expectations he passed the examination straightaway.
Conclusion
The pilot study provides first empirical findings for the
effect of Peter Hess Basic Sound Massage. It supplies
various approaches for further research and interesting
results for different fields of practice such as health
promotion, pedagogics or therapy. Additionally, the
case examples allow insight into the subjective percep-
tion of the effect of sound massage.
It can be concluded that sound massage may be an
ideal application for strengthening one’s own health.
It may support a balanced relationship between ten-
sion and relaxation as well as a good body perception,
which are important component parts of holistic health
promotion. For this reason it may contribute to avo-
idance or reduction of numerous stress-related phy-
sical symptoms and diagnoses such as cardiovascular
disease, depression, diabetes, back pain, and headache
or insomnia; which the majority of the population is
affected by nowadays.

Case example 5:
A 52 year old female subject reporting difficulties slee-
ping during stress situations says that during the week
after sound massage she is able to respectively sleep
well. After the fifth sound massage she says:
“Relaxation starts already when thinking of sound
massage!”

Dr. phil. Christina M. Koller

is Dipl. Sozialoädagogin (FH) and earned her doctorate at the University Bamberg about the use
of sound in educational working areas. She has been working with the Peter Hess® Institute
for a long time. She also is the coeditor of various books published by the Peter Hess Verlag.

European Professional Association for Sound-Masaage-Therapy. Bruchhausen-Vilsen, 2018 6

Article from professional journal Nr 7/2010