Mechanisms of Massage

September 15, 2022 updated by: University of Florida
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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

56

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Florida
      • Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32610
        • UF Health

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Pain Free

Exclusion Criteria:

  • non-English speaking
  • systemic medical condition known to affect sensation (i.e. diabetes)
  • regular use of prescription pain medication to manage pain
  • current or history of chronic pain condition
  • currently using blood thinning medication
  • any blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pain Inducing Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
A myofascial trigger point will be assessed in the trapezius muscle and massage applied to this area of the neck. Participants in this arm will receive a positive expectation instructional set followed by a moderately painful massage (pain = 50/100). Massage will be applied for one minute, four times with assessment of pressure pain threshold at the foot between each interval.
Other: Pain Inducing Massage
A pain inducing massage (pain intensity = 50/100) 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.
Active Comparator: Pain Inducing Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
A myofascial trigger point will be assessed in the trapezius muscle and massage applied to this area of the neck. Participants in this arm will receive a negative expectation instructional set followed by a moderately painful massage (pain = 50/100). Massage will be applied for one minute, four times with assessment of pressure pain threshold at the foot between each interval.
Other: Pain Inducing Massage
A pain inducing massage (pain intensity = 50/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
Other: Negative Expectation Instructional Set
Participants will be instructed that the massage is ineffective for some people with neck pain.
Active Comparator: Pain Free Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
A myofascial trigger point will be assessed in the trapezius muscle and massage applied to this area of the neck. Participants in this arm will receive a positive expectation instructional set followed by a pain free massage (pain = 0/100). Massage will be applied for one minute, four times with assessment of pressure pain threshold at the foot between each interval.
Other: Positive Expectation Instructional Set
Participants will be instructed that the massage is effective for some people with neck pain.
Other: Pain Free Massage
A pain free massage (pain intensity = 0/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
Active Comparator: Pain Free Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
A myofascial trigger point will be assessed in the trapezius muscle and massage applied to this area of the neck. Participants in this arm will receive a negative expectation instructional set followed by a pain free massage (pain = 0/100). Massage will be applied for one minute, four times with assessment of pressure pain threshold at the foot between each interval.
Other: Negative Expectation Instructional Set
Participants will be instructed that the massage is ineffective for some people with neck pain.
Other: Pain Free Massage
A pain free massage (pain intensity = 0/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pressure Pain Threshold
Time Frame: 1 hour
A computerized pressure algometer with a 1cm diameter rubber tip will be applied to the web space of the non-dominant foot. Participants are instructed to say "stop" so the stimulus can be terminated when the sensation first transitions from pressure to pain (threshold).
1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Florida

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Joel Bialosky, PT, PhD, University of Florida

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

October 31, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 15, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

December 15, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 26, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 26, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

September 30, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 16, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 15, 2022

Last Verified

September 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IRB201902417

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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