New Generation Automatic Massage Chairs: Testing Various Massage Protocols for Promoting Relaxation and Favoring Sleep Efficiency in Healthy Individuals
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Thessaly
- Enrollment
- 12
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Sleep Efficiency
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Modern technology is transforming the field of massage, enhancing relaxation and wellness through innovative devices. The automatic electric massage chair exemplifies this advancement, merging ergonomic design with advanced massage techniques to promote deep tissue relaxation and an overall sense of well-being. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of various automatic massage protocols available in massage chairs on relaxation and indices of sleep quality in healthy individuals before daytime naps.
Detailed Description
Study Design Subjects will be randomly assigned into 4 conditions, each one week apart. More particular; 1) In the control condition (CON), where subjects will not receive any massage program; instead, they will be rested for 30 min on an automatic switch-off electric massage chair and subsequently lay down for an additional 30 min on a proper double-bed; 2) In the "Easy Sleep" condition (ES), where subjects will receive a preselected massage program for 30 minutes, followed by an additional 30 minutes of lying down on the same double bed; 3) In the "Fatigue Revover" condition (FR), where subjects will receive a pre selected massage program for 30 minutes, followed by an additional 30 minutes of lying down on the same double bed; 4) In the "Worker Mode" condition (WM), where subjects will receive a preselected massage program for 30 minutes, followed by an additional 30 minutes of lying down on the same double bed. All conditions will be conducted one week apart, at the same time of the day, and the order of the various conditions will be randomly assigned. The researchers analyzing the data will be blinded to the designated groups. The study is approved by the Human Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Thessaly (2334-4/4-2/7.2.2024). All subjects will give their written informed consent prior to study participation.
Data Analysis The data collection period is structured into a single phase, lasting 60min (30min massage chair + 30min nap time).
Procedure All measurements will be performed in the Lifestyle Medicine Laboratory, at the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of Trikala, in Thessaly, Greece.
Before the initiation of the study, participants will complete a visual analog Sleepiness Scale (VASS), measurements related to overall health and they will be connected to the portable EEG/EOG polysomnography system (HST-mit-tablet, Somomedics, Germany).
Participants will be positioned inside the automatic massage chair for 30 min and moved to a double bed for 30 more minutes after the completion of the pre-selected massage session. The VASS will be used after the massage session and after the 30-minute "nap time" on the double bed.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •ability to consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of mental illness,
- •sleep disorders,
- •history of epilepsy,
- •an acute or chronic condition that would limit the ability of the patient to participate in the study.
Arms & Interventions
Easy-Sleep
The Easy Sleep (ES) automatic massage condition involves a 30-minute inside the massage chair receiving a relaxation massage designed to promote sleep.
Intervention: Massage (Other)
Fatigue-Recovery
The Fatigue Recovery (FR) automatic massage condition involves a 30-minute inside the massage chair receiving a relaxation massage designed to reduce muscle fatigue.
Intervention: Massage (Other)
Worker-Mode
The Worker Mode (WM) automatic massage condition involves a 30-minute inside the massage chair receiving a relaxation massage designed to promote muscle relaxation.
Intervention: Massage (Other)
Control
The Control (CON) condition involves a 30-minute rest on a switch-off massage chair (without running any massage session).
Intervention: No intervention (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Sleep Efficiency
Time Frame: 60 minutes - at the end of the intervention
Total sleep time over Time spend in bed.
Secondary Outcomes
- Sleepiness(At baseline and at the end of the intervention (60 minutes).)
Investigators
Giorgos K. Sakkas
Associate Professor
University of Thessaly