NCT04108403

Mechanisms of Massage

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Florida · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The investigators have previously found moderately painful massage produces comparable changes in pain sensitivity as a conditioned pain modulation paradigm in healthy participants suggesting shared underlying mechanisms. The researchers aim to extend these findings by understanding the influence of expectation on these findings.

Detailed description

Massage is a muscle biased intervention individuals seek for pain alleviation; however, the mechanisms of massage are not well established. In this study, the investigators aim to determine the effect of expectations on massage related hypoalgesia. Individuals meeting eligibility criteria and agreeing to participate will attend one session that lasts approximately one hour. A myofascial trigger point (taut band of muscle tissue) will be assessed on the neck of the participant. Next, a baseline assessment of pressure pain threshold will be performed followed by random assignment to one of four study arms.

Conditions

• Healthy
• Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Pain Inducing Massage	A pain inducing massage (pain intensity = 50/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
OTHER	Pain Free Massage	A pain free massage (pain intensity = 0/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
OTHER	Positive Expectation Instructional Set	Participants will be instructed that the massage is effective for some people with neck pain.
OTHER	Negative Expectation Instructional Set	Participants will be instructed that the massage is ineffective for some people with neck pain.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-10-31
• Primary completion: 2021-12-15
• Completion: 2021-12-15
• First posted: 2019-09-30
• Last updated: 2022-09-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States