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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Spirometry; Massage
• Interventions: Procedure: Classic massage; Procedure: Deep tissue massage

• Registration Number: NCT05093179
• Lead Sponsor: Jagiellonian University

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-02-01
• Primary Completion: 2019-03-31
• Study Completion: 2019-03-31
• Study First Submitted: 2021-09-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-13
• Study First Posted: 2021-10-26
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-18
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Classic massage group	Classic massage	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.
Deep tissue massage group	Deep tissue massage	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.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Asessment of change of Peak Expiratory Flow	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured in liters per second \[l/s\]. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle was performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements according to the standard ERSATS 2005.
Assessment of change of Forced Expiratory Volume	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) measured in liters. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle was performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements according to the standard ERSATS 2005.
Assessment of change of chest circumference	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	The chest circumference was measured with a measuring tape, wrapped horizontally around the chest at the level of the xiphoid process. The subject was standing with feet hip-width apart, arms hanging along the body. At the command, the subject would take a maximum breathe in (first measurement) and exhale to the maximum for the next (second measurement). Obtained values were recorded with an accuracy of 0.5 cm.
Assessment of change of Peak Inspiratory Flow	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the peak inspiratory flow (PIF) measured in liters per second \[l/s\]. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle was performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements according to the standard ERSATS 2005.
Assessment of change of lung vital capacity	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	The vital capacity of the lungs was assessed with spirotest (Riester, mod. 5260). The subject stood with legs hip-width apart. For each measurement, disposable cardboard mouthpieces were used. The examined person held the device vertically with both hands. At the examiner's command, subject took in as much air as possible, then tightly bit the mouthpiece with his mouth, and with all of their strength, exhaled air into the device for as long as possible. The subject had only 1 attempt-measured values were recorded with an accuracy of 50 mL.
Assessment of change of blood oxygen saturation	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Testing blood oxygen saturation was performed in a sitting position with digital pulseoximeter CMS50D. The device was put on the second finger of the left hand each time. The highest value displayed by the pulseoximeter within 30 s was recorded with an accuracy of 1%.
Assessment of change of Forced Vital Capacity	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the forced vital capacity (FVC), measured in liters. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ".
Assessment of change of Maximum Expiratory Flow.	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the maximum expiratory flow (MEF), measured in liters per second. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, breathe in as much as possible, as quickly as possible, as intensively as possible, and while at the top of the inhalation, without waiting, breathe out as hard and as long as possible ". This cycle was performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements according to the standard ERSATS 2005.
Assessment of change of Maximum Voluntary Ventilation	twice: before and immediately after procedure administration in both groups	Dynamic spirometry test was performed, assessing the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) measured in liters per minute. The test was performed with PNEUMO® spirometer and PNEUMO 2005 software (abcMED). The subject was sitting with his legs on the floor-hip joint flexed at an angle of 70o-90o and carried out the following command: "Breathe calmly. On my command, inhale and exhale as quickly and as deeply as possible for 15 s until you hear the 'stop' command. This cycle was performed at least 3 times obtaining 3 measurements according to the standard ERSATS 2005.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Physiotherapy Jagiellonian University Medical College; 🇵🇱 Kraków, Poland