Deep Friction Massage Effects: Asymptomatic

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Despite DFM being a widely-used technique and the empirical grounding regarding the importance of the pressure applied, there is no study characterizing the pressure applied during DFM, remaining it a discretion of the physiotherapist. Additionally, it is not known how the amount of pressure applied may influence pain mechanisms and, consequently how it affects the time needed promote an analgesic response. Having this, our general objective is to establish a dose-response relationship between the pressure applied during DFM and time of onset of analgesia, in the asymptomatic patellar tendon.

Official Title
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Deep Friction Massage Effects on Analgesia of the Asymptomatic Patellar Tendon

Conditions
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Deep Friction Massage

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Deep friction massage P50
* Other: Deep friction massage P25
* Other: Deep friction massage P75


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: the participants should have an asymptomatic patellar tendon Exclusion Criteria: history of previous injury of the lower limbs; intake of medication that could interfere with pain mechanisms; presence of any factors or conditions that could interfere with the tendinous tissue as well as with the awareness and sensibility to pain.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 30 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Deep friction massage P50<br>In this group it was applied a pressure previously found to be the mean pressure applied by physiotherapists during deep friction massage. | Other: Deep friction massage P50<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, applied with the mean pressure (P50)<br>|
| Experimental: Deep friction massage P25<br>In this group it was applied the percentile 25, of the pressure previously found to be the mean pressure applied by physiotherapists during deep friction massage. | Other: Deep friction massage P25<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, applied with the percentile 25 of the mean pressure (P25)<br>|
| Experimental: Deep friction massage P75<br>In this group it was applied the percentile 75, of the pressure previously found to be the mean pressure applied by physiotherapists during deep friction massage. | Other: Deep friction massage P75<br>* Deep friction massage as described by Dr. James Cyriax, applied with the percentile 75 of the mean pressure (P75)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time until analgesia | Self reported sensation of analgesia, controlled by a chronometer | 10 minutes |