Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Effects of Prophylactic Massage Therapy on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Conditions
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Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: No Massage Protocol
* Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: -generally healthy Exclusion Criteria: pregnant smoker cold allergy Raynaud's disease cryophobia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group 1: Intervention First<br>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<br>* Participants did not receive therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test.<br>Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage<br>* 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.<br>|
| Experimental: Group 2: Intervention Last<br>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<br>* Participants did not receive therapeutic massage prior to completing the Cold Pressor Test.<br>Other: Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Pain Tolerance | 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. | Approximately 3 minutes | 
| Change in Pain Threshold | 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. | Approximated 3 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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massage therapy, pain tolerance, pain threshold