Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold
Study Details
Study Description
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
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 Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Group 1: Intervention First 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. |
Other: No Massage Protocol
Participants did not receive therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test.
Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage
Participants received a 5 minute prophylactic therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test. The massage was completed distally-to-proximally in the following order: superficial strokes to the entire forearm, deep strokes to the entire forearm, one-handed palmar kneading of the entire forearm with participant's forearm stabilized by the massager's the other hand, bilateral thumb kneading of the forearm in strips until the entire forearm was addressed, bilateral transverse thumb motions over palmar surface of the hand, single thumb kneading of thenar and hypothenar eminences simultaneously, bilateral thumb kneading to the dorsum of hand, deep stroking to the entire forearm, and superficial stroking to the entire forearm.
|
| Experimental: Group 2: Intervention Last 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. |
Other: No Massage Protocol
Participants did not receive therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test.
Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage
Participants received a 5 minute prophylactic therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test. The massage was completed distally-to-proximally in the following order: superficial strokes to the entire forearm, deep strokes to the entire forearm, one-handed palmar kneading of the entire forearm with participant's forearm stabilized by the massager's the other hand, bilateral thumb kneading of the forearm in strips until the entire forearm was addressed, bilateral transverse thumb motions over palmar surface of the hand, single thumb kneading of thenar and hypothenar eminences simultaneously, bilateral thumb kneading to the dorsum of hand, deep stroking to the entire forearm, and superficial stroking to the entire forearm.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-generally healthy
Exclusion Criteria:
-
pregnant
-
smoker
-
cold allergy
-
Raynaud's disease
-
cryophobia
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky | Lexington | Kentucky | United States | 40536 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Kyle Knight
Investigators
- Study Director: Terry Malone, PT, EdD, University of Kentucky
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Cherkin DC, Eisenberg D, Sherman KJ, Barlow W, Kaptchuk TJ, Street J, Deyo RA. Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Arch Intern Med. 2001 Apr 23;161(8):1081-8.
- Cherkin DC, Sherman KJ, Deyo RA, Shekelle PG. A review of the evidence for the effectiveness, safety, and cost of acupuncture, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation for back pain. Ann Intern Med. 2003 Jun 3;138(11):898-906. Review.
- Ferrell-Torry AT, Glick OJ. The use of therapeutic massage as a nursing intervention to modify anxiety and the perception of cancer pain. Cancer Nurs. 1993 Apr;16(2):93-101. Review.
- Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Taylor S, Quintino O, Burman I. Labor pain is reduced by massage therapy. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 1997 Dec;18(4):286-91.
- Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Krasnegor J, Theakston H. Lower back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy. Int J Neurosci. 2001;106(3-4):131-45.
- Kelly D. Therapeutic massage of the forearm and hand. Lecture presented at: PT615 Basic Clinical Skills; 2015; University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse; Johns Hopkins University. Study of the treatment of experimental pain in opioid dependent persons on methadone or buprenorphine maintenance. In: ClinicalTrials.gov [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). 2015-[cited 2015 Aug 19]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01642030 NLM Identifier: NCT01642030.
- Preyde M. Effectiveness of massage therapy for subacute low-back pain: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ. 2000 Jun 27;162(13):1815-20.
- 15-0650-P1H