Effects of Roller Massage on Short-Term Passive Muscle Stiffness
Condition: Muscle Tightness
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Muscle stiffness is associated with a variety of variables that affect health, however there
      is limited research on the effect of massage on muscle stiffness, and existing research does
      not quantify the intensity of massage. Thus trial will determine the effect of roller massage
      on quadriceps muscle stiffness and passive range of motion.
    

Detailed description: 
      Following screening for eligibility and consent, subjects will be assigned randomly to one of
      three groups: a placebo control group and two roller massage groups (treatment groups). The
      treatment groups will each receive a single bout of roller massage. One treatment group will
      receive a massage at medium intensity (25 newtons of force directed perpendicular to surface
      of thigh), the other treatment group at high intensity (45 newtons of force directed
      perpendicular to surface of thigh). The placebo group will receive a single bout of sham
      ultrasound. Both placebo and treatments will be delivered to the anterior thigh with the
      participant in a supine position. Each procedure will last for 10 minutes. In all groups,
      muscle stiffness, natural oscillation frequency, elasticity, relaxation time, and creep at
      the vastus lateralis will be measured using a myotonometer. PROM for knee flexion will also
      be measured in both groups using goniometry. All measurements will be taken at 3 different
      times: immediately before treatment or placebo, immediately after treatment or placebo, and
      30 minutes after treatment or placebo. Myotonometric measurements of the vastus lateralis
      will be taken 2/3 of the way down between the anterior superior iliac spine and lateral
      aspect of the patella, in accordance with guidelines for the Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the
      Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles. For goniometric measurement, participants will be in
      supine position on an examination table. The investigator will flex the participant's hip to
      90 degrees and then, using a dynamometer (to ensure consistent applied force for all
      participants), flex the participant's knee. To measure knee flexion PROM, the goniometer will
      be positioned with the axis at the lateral epicondyle of the femur, the stationary arm in
      line with the lateral midline of the femur toward the greater trochanter, and the moving arm
      in line with the fibular head and lateral malleolus. During the time between the second and
      third measurements, subjects will be asked to sit quietly.
    

Intervention name(s): Sham Therapeutic Ultrasound; Medium-Intensity Roller Massage; High-Intensity Roller Massage
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure; Procedure
Intervention description(s): A standard ultrasound machine (Vectratm by Chattanooga Group, Inc.) with inactive probe will be used to deliver sham massage.; This group will receive a single bout of roller massage at medium intensity (25 newtons of force directed perpendicular to the surface of the thigh).; This group will receive a single bout of roller massage at medium intensity (45 newtons of force directed perpendicular to the surface of the thigh).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: massage; roller; quadriceps