The Analysis of the Impact of 5-minute Massage Session on the Muscle Stiffness and Tone

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study design was a randomised, controlled, parallel, two-arm trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of the study groups: the intervention group or the control group. The passive mechanical properties, i.e. the stiffness and tone of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (dominant leg) were assessed. Measures were taken twice: in the intervention group before and after the 5-minute massage session, and in the control group at the beginning of the meeting and again after 5 minutes.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 5-minute massage, applied to healthy individuals, may change the passive mechanical muscle properties, which supposedly may prevent MSDs. The study is carried out on the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles because of their accessibility and crucial role in locomotion. MyotonPRO and TMG S2 devices were used to assess the stiffness and radial muscle displacement of the gastrocnemius muscle respectively.

Official Title
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The Analysis of the Impact of 5-minute Massage Session on the Muscle Stiffness and Tone: a Randomised Control Trial

Conditions
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Musculoskeletal Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Massage session


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age between 19 and 24 years; healthy individuals, with no lower limb pathology; PA≥600 MET-min/week assessed by IPAQ questionnaire; no medical contraindication of massage therapy; body mass index 18,5 < BMI ≤ 25kg/m2 signing the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: pregnant women; individuals suffering from neurologic or orthopaedic problems; lower limb surgical interventions; cancers; musculoskeletal disorders body mass index 18,5 > BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 the lack of informed consent.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 24 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: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Massage group<br>In the intervention group measures will be taken twice: before and after the 5-minute massage session. | Procedure: Massage session<br>* Participants in the intervention group are provided with the 5-minute massage session in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (dominant leg).<br>|
| No Intervention: Non-massage group<br>In the control group measures will be taken twice: at the beginning of the meeting and again after 5 minutes. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in maximal displacement of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | The maximal radial displacement is produced in the muscle belly after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2 | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in delay time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Delay time is the time in which the muscle displacement increases to 10% after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2 | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in contraction time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Contraction time is the time between 10% and 90% of the muscle displacement after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2 | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in sustain time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Sustain time is the time between 50% of maximum contraction to 50% of maximum relaxation of a muscle after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2 | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in relaxation time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Relaxation time is the time between 90% of maximum contraction and 50% of maximum relaxation of a muscle after the electrical stimulation. Measuring device: TMG S2 | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in oscillation frequency of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | The oscillation frequency characterizes the tension of muscle tissue. Measuring device: MyotonPRO | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in dynamic stiffness of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | The dynamic stiffness corresponds to the soft tissues' capacity to resist external forces. Measuring device: MyotonPRO | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in logarithmic decrement of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Logarithmic decrement is the dissipation of the tissue oscillation. Measuring device: MyotonPRO | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in mechanical stress relaxation time of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Mechanical stress relaxation time is the time needed for the muscle to recover to its initial shape. Measuring device: MyotonPRO | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 
| Changes in creep of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle | Creep is the ratio of relaxation (R) and time between the beginning of the mechanical impulse and the time point of maximal displacement Measuring device: MyotonPRO | 1) baseline, 2) immediately after the massage session | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Massage therapy, Muscle tone, Muscle stiffness