The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters in Healthy People

Jagiellonian University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Spirometry; Massage

Treatments: Procedure: Classic massage; Procedure: Deep tissue massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05093179

1072.6120.7.2019

Details and patient eligibility

About

Deep tissue massage (DTM), based on deep palpation and elimination of fascia restrictions, can reduce symptoms resulting from fascial disorders. The goal of this study was the analysis of the DTM effect on respiratory parameters in healthy people. People of both sexes living in the city of Cracow were recruited to the study by the authors personally and through social media. An original questionnaire was completed in the presence of the examiner in order to collect the participants characteristics data. Questions about past diseases, previous surgical procedures or injuries, currently taken medications or the level of physical activity were asked to check the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study involved a group of 40 people divided into two subgroups. The experimental group underwent a single DTM session. Classic massage was performed in the control group. Before and after treatment the lung vital capacity, chest circumference and oxygen saturation were measured and a spirometry test was performed. The main hypothesis assumed that static respiratory parameters should increase after the treatment session more in the experimental than in control group while the dynamic respiratory parameters would not differ significantly in both groups before and after treatment.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Physical activity of minimum 30 min. duration, at least 3 times a week.
2. No chest injuries.
3. No contraindications for DTM/classic massage.
4. No serious diseases of the respiratory and/or cardiovascular systems.
5. No tobacco products smoking (incl.e-smoking).
6. No posture defects that could affect the chest mobility.

Exclusion criteria

1. Contraindications to DTM/classic massage of the chest.
2. Occurrence of serious diseases of the respiratory/cardiovascular system now or in the past.
3. Lack of or low physical activity (< 30 min min. 3 times per week).
4. Tobacco smoking (incl.e-smoking).
5. Chest injuries.
6. Posture defects that may affect the chest mobility.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Deep tissue massage group

Experimental group

Description:

The one session of deep tissue massage was performed. The patient's positions were changed depending on the specificity of used techniques. The following techniques were used: * Shifting the rectus abdominis m., * Stretching of the fascia within the costal arches, * trigger points compression (30-60 s). * Stretching of the chest fascia, superficially with forearm or fingertips on intercostal muscles, * "filleting" the pectoral muscles, * "hook and stretch" with the proximal phalanges of the fingers 2-4 and the forearm * "filleting" between the pectoral muscles and the deltoids, * Releasing the lateral edge of the scapula using the fingers and stretching the tissues, Releasing the medial edge of the scapula using the fingers and the weight of the patient, * "hook and stretch" of the trapezius muscle, * Subsequently, the patient took a prone position. * Stretching of the levator scapulae and supraspinatus muscles using the fist, forearm and elbow were performed.

Treatment:

Procedure: Deep tissue massage

Classic massage group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The one session of classic massage was performed. The massage was performed with moderate force. The entire procedure took about 15-20 min. The sequence of standard classic massage techniques was used in standard way and patterns.

Treatment:

Procedure: Classic massage