NCT05379140

Use Therapeutic Chinese Massage to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy in People With HIV

Using Therapeutic Chinese Massage to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Randomized Control Trial Pilot Study.

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Houston Downtown · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) occurs in half of the people with human immunodeficiency virus (PHIV). Currently, there is no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for HIV-related PN. Only half of PHIV who take medications report a significant reduction in pain. Therapeutic Chinese Massage, structured palpations or movements of soft tissues of the body, is a promising non-harmful, and non-costly intervention that can potentially alleviate or even treat PN but relevant research is limited. Method: Investigators conducted a single centered, two-arm, single-blinded randomized controlled trial pilot study to examine if a series of three weekly 25-minute therapeutic Chinese massage sessions by a therapist of therapeutic Chinese massage, compared with placebo massage, could reduce PN-related pain and improve lower extremity functioning in PHIV. Twenty PHIV were recruited from the AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc in Texas. Pain, lower extremity functioning, and health-related quality of life were assessed for both groups prior to and post-massage.

Conditions

• Peripheral Neuropathy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Three Weekly Therapeutic Chinese Massage Sessions	Participants in the therapeutic Chinese massage group received three weekly 25-minute therapeutic Chinese massage sessions. The intervention included acupressure to points along the distal lower extremity acupuncture points of the Gall Bladder Channel (GB 40 and then 34). Further Chinese Massage incorporates kneading, rolling, movement of the ankle, rotating, pulling, and scrubbing to the lower extremity.
BEHAVIORAL	Three Weekly Placebo Massage Sessions	The placebo massage group received three weekly 25-minute placebo massage that included gentle rubbing to the foot and toes without point stimulation or other techniques of Chinese Massage. The control group had the opportunity to receive the treatment after the study was completed.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-09-10
• Primary completion: 2022-08-10
• Completion: 2022-11-10
• First posted: 2022-05-18
• Last updated: 2022-05-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States