Mechanisms of Massage
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Florida
- Enrollment
- 56
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Pressure Pain Threshold
Study Overview
Brief Summary
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.
Detailed 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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Masking Description
Participants will be masked to the type of instructional set received during the intervention. However, participants will be notified of this upon completion of the study.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 60 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
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
Arms & Interventions
Pain Inducing Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Pain Inducing Massage (Other)
Pain Inducing Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Positive Expectation Instructional Set (Other)
Pain Inducing Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Pain Inducing Massage (Other)
Pain Inducing Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Negative Expectation Instructional Set (Other)
Pain Free Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Pain Free Massage (Other)
Pain Free Massage and Positive Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Positive Expectation Instructional Set (Other)
Pain Free Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Pain Free Massage (Other)
Pain Free Massage and Negative Expectation Instructions
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.
Intervention: Negative Expectation Instructional Set (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Pressure Pain Threshold
Time Frame: 1 hour
A computerized pressure algometer with a 1cm diameter rubber tip will be applied to the web space of the non-dominant foot. Participants are instructed to say "stop" so the stimulus can be terminated when the sensation first transitions from pressure to pain (threshold).
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported