New Generation Automatic Massage Chairs: Testing Various Massage Protocols for Promoting Relaxation and Favoring Sleep Efficiency in Healthy Individuals

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.