Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Pain
• Interventions: Other: No Massage Protocol; Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage

• Registration Number: NCT04625335
• Lead Sponsor: Kyle Knight

Brief Summary

Therapeutic massage has been thought to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation in human patients.This study is meant to determine the immediate effects of therapeutic massage on pain tolerance and threshold.

Detailed Description

Patients participated in two trials of a pain stimulus test that measured pain threshold and pain tolerance. One trial was titled "Massage Protocol" and the other, "No-Massage Protocol." During the "Massage Protocol," they received a therapeutic massage to the forearm before participating in the pain stimulus test. During the "No-Massage Protocol" they did not receive a massage before participating in the pain stimulus test. Their pain threshold and tolerance for both trials were compared against each other. Each patient was randomized as to which protocol they participated in first.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2015-10-02
• Study Completion: 2016-03-01
• Status Verified: 2020-11
• Study First Submitted: 2020-11-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-11-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-10
• Study First Posted: 2020-11-12
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 14

Inclusion Criteria

-generally healthy

Exclusion Criteria

• pregnant
• smoker
• cold allergy
• Raynaud's disease
• cryophobia

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Group 1: Intervention First	Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage	Adult, healthy volunteers will receive the intervention (prophylactic therapeutic massage) before completing the Cold Pressor Test. Following the crossover, these participants will then complete the Cold Pressor Test without prior massage.
Group 2: Intervention Last	No Massage Protocol	Adult, healthy volunteers will complete the Cold Pressor Test without prior massage. After crossover, they will receive the intervention (prophylactic therapeutic massage) before completing the Cold Pressor Test.
Group 1: Intervention First	No Massage Protocol	Adult, healthy volunteers will receive the intervention (prophylactic therapeutic massage) before completing the Cold Pressor Test. Following the crossover, these participants will then complete the Cold Pressor Test without prior massage.
Group 2: Intervention Last	Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage	Adult, healthy volunteers will complete the Cold Pressor Test without prior massage. After crossover, they will receive the intervention (prophylactic therapeutic massage) before completing the Cold Pressor Test.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Pain Tolerance	Approximately 3 minutes	Pain tolerance is measured as using the Cold Pressor Test. It is calculated as the amount of time elapsed between submersion of the hand in cold water and removal due to intolerance of the stimulus. Data will be reported as the change in pain tolerance between massage and no massage.
Change in Pain Threshold	Approximated 3 minutes	Pain threshold is measured using the Cold Pressor Test. It is calculated as the amount of time elapsed between submersion of the hand in cold water and the first report of pain. Data will be reported as the change in pain threshold between massage and no massage.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Kentucky; 🇺🇸 Lexington, Kentucky, United States