Circadian Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Therapeutic Massage Modalities

Circadian Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Therapeutic Massage Modalities in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Athletic performance and recovery are closely linked to central nervous system regulation, which can be objectively assessed using electroencephalography (EEG). Although therapeutic massage is widely used as a recovery modality in combat sports, its neurophysiological effects and potential interaction with circadian timing remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether different therapeutic massage modalities applied at different times of the day modulate resting-state EEG activity in taekwondo athletes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: FMP; Device: VMMP; Device: PMMP

Detailed Description

This randomized, within-subject crossover study examines the effects of different therapeutic massage modalities and time of day on resting-state EEG activity in elite male taekwondo athletes. Twelve athletes complete four experimental conditions: no-massage control, friction massage, vibration mechanical massage, and percussion mechanical massage. Each condition is administered during both morning and evening sessions, separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period.

Resting-state EEG is recorded immediately following each intervention using a 32-channel system. Power spectral density is computed to extract global band power in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. The study aims to determine whether massage modality, circadian timing, or their interaction significantly influences cortical oscillatory activity associated with recovery and neural readiness.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Faculty of Sport Sciences, İnönü University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male taekwondo athletes aged 18-25 years
• Minimum of 4 years of structured taekwondo training
• Training frequency ≥ 5 days/week
• Black belt (1st Dan or higher)
• No musculoskeletal injury in the past 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological or psychiatric disorders
• Use of stimulant substances or anti-inflammatory medication
• Irregular sleep-wake patterns (e.g., shift work)
• Withdrawal of consent at any stage

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Friction Massage (FMP)	Behavioral: FMP; Manual therapeutic massage consisting of rhythmic, sustained friction techniques applied by a certified physiotherapist to the dominant upper extremity muscles. Moderate-to-strong pressure was applied for a total duration of 10 minutes using a standardized intermittent protocol.
Experimental: Vibration Mechanical Massage (VMMP)	Device: VMMP; Therapeutic vibration massage delivered using a handheld vibration device set at a fixed frequency of 50 Hz. The device was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to provide localized high-frequency mechanical stimulation.
Experimental: Percussion Mechanical Massage (PMMP)	Device: PMMP; Therapeutic percussion massage administered using a handheld percussive therapy device delivering rapid mechanical impulses at approximately 40 Hz. The intervention was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to elicit deep somatosensory stimulation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Global EEG Band Power	Log-transformed power spectral density values for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands obtained from resting-state EEG recordings.	Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Topographical EEG Distribution	Spatial distribution of EEG band power across frontal and central scalp regions.	Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 17, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 26, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 26, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: N-formylmethionylphenylalanine
• Other Study ID Numbers: PNU-10

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No