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If you enjoy medical science and are curious about the benefits of medically-applied rocking, you might find these papers interesting. We are also appreciative of any papers you’d like to share with us!
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- Hase M, et al., The AIP Model of EMDR Therapy and Pathogenic Memories. Front Psychol. 21;8:1578. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01578. PMID: 28983265; PMCID: PMC5613256.
- Provasi, Joëlle, Loreline Blanc, and Isabelle Carchon. 2021. “The Importance of Rhythmic Stimulation for Preterm Infants in the NICU” Children 8, no. 8: 660. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8080660
- Marianne Dieterich, Thomas Brandt, 2015. The bilateral central vestibular system: its pathways, functions, and disorders. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12585
A 2024 study (Prescott et al., 2024) suggests that early regulation of breathing + autonomic systems (achieved by rocking) is foundational for brain development and concludes that rocking stimulation in preterm infants has the following effects:
- Reduced apnoea episodes (breathing pauses)
- Improved respiratory rhythm synchronisation
- Produced stable heart rate responses
- Support early physiological maturation
- Karper, William, 2013. Activities Adaptation & Aging 37(2):141-152. DOI:10.1080/01924788.2013.784850
- Perrault, Aurore et al., Whole-Night Continuous Rocking Entrains Spontaneous Neural Oscillations with Benefits for Sleep and Memory. Ed Elsevier. Current Biology 29, 402–411. . Discover more
- Rickey, Tom, 1998. As elders rock, emotional burden of dementia eases. University of Rochester. Discover more
- Wilson, Gemma et al., 2018. The Use of Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder—A Systematic Narrative Review. Discover more
- Oscillation benefits sleep and memory Discover more
- Fibromyalgia improved via 10-minute daily rocking Discover more
- Rocking improves dementia and Alzheimer’s Discover more
- (book extract) C-section moms who rock had less gas pains, increased mobility, and left the hospital sooner than non-rocking moms. Women recovering from hysterectomy can also benefit Discover more
- Rocking treats vertigo Discover more
A broad developmental review arguing that movement (including rocking) is functionally important, not just soothing.
Key conclusions:
- Vestibular stimulation (including rocking-like motion):
- Influences cognition, emotion, and hormonal regulation
- Plays a role in motor development and body homeostasis
- Development of brain connections:
- Continues after birth and depends on vestibular experience
- Vestibular stimulation (including rocking-like motion):