The Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Respiratory Parameters in People with Asthma

Jagiellonian University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Massage; Asthma Patients

Treatments: Procedure: Classic massage; Procedure: Deep Tissue Massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06893445

118.0043.1.81.2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

Bronchial asthma, as a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. Standard treatment includes pharmacotherapy, but a holistic approach, including manual therapies, can support pharmacological therapy, reducing the need for drugs.

The aim of the research is to verify whether deep tissue massage (DTM) techniques applied to the chest significantly affect respiratory parameters in people with asthma. The study is the next stage of the study conducted on healthy people. After obtaining positive results in the study involving people not suffering from respiratory diseases, the next step is to examine people with, in this case, bronchial asthma. It is important to determine whether the use of this form of manual therapy can bring benefits in the context of improving respiratory functions, reducing respiratory muscle tension and relieving subjective symptoms associated with asthma, such as shortness of breath or limitations in everyday functioning.

The hypothesis assumes that DTM techniques can have a bigger effect on the respiratory system than classic massage (CM).

The study is a randomized controlled trial, where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group (subjected to DTM) or the control group (subjected to CM). Before and after the massage intervention, participants will undergo spirometry to assess the changes in respiratory parameters. The obtained data will then be analyzed for effects on respiratory parameters and differences between both groups.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed with bronchial asthma
• stable health condition, allowing participation in the study
• informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• acute or chronic comorbidities that may affect the results (e.g. COPD, heart failure, cancer)
• any chest surgery performed within the last 6 months
• contraindications to massage (e.g. skin infections, wounds)
• pregnancy
• participation in other clinical trials in the last 3 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: 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 will be performed. The patient's positions will be changed depending on the specificity of used techniques. The following techniques will be 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 will take a prone position. • Stretching of the levator scapulae and supraspinatus muscles using the fist, forearm and elbow will be performed.

Treatment:

Procedure: Deep Tissue Massage

Classic Massage Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Procedure: Classic massage