Mechanisms of Massage

University of Florida

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy; Pain

Treatments: Other: Pain Inducing Massage; Other: Positive Expectation Instructional Set; Other: Pain Free Massage; Other: Negative Expectation Instructional Set

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04108403

IRB201902417

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 56 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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56 participants in 4 patient groups

Pain Inducing Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Pain Inducing Massage

Other: Positive Expectation Instructional Set

Pain Inducing Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Negative Expectation Instructional Set

Other: Pain Inducing Massage

Pain Free Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Pain Free Massage

Other: Positive Expectation Instructional Set

Pain Free Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions

Active Comparator group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Pain Free Massage

Other: Negative Expectation Instructional Set