Electronic Massager for Massage Therapy

(EMMA2 Trial)

Overseen By Shawn Fokken, CCRP

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Cancer, Bleeding disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 1-2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to compare the effectiveness of an electronic massager with a professional therapist's massage. Participants will use the electronic massager, EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation), and receive a traditional massage, then report their satisfaction with each. This trial suits individuals who can comfortably lie face down and do not have conditions such as cancer, bleeding disorders, or skin allergies. As an unphased trial, it allows participants to explore innovative massage technology and contribute to advancements in therapeutic practices.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the EMMA Massager is safe for use in massage therapy?

Research has shown that the EMMA massager is generally safe to use. Studies indicate that volunteers find it comfortable and enjoyable. Additionally, research highlights that EMMA works reliably during massages. Traditional massage therapy can sometimes cause soreness or minor injuries, but using EMMA does not appear to significantly increase these risks. Overall, current evidence suggests that EMMA is both safe and dependable for massage therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the EMMA Massager because it offers a high-tech twist on traditional massage therapy. Unlike standard massages delivered solely by a therapist's hands, the EMMA device uses advanced automation to provide consistent and precise massage techniques. This could enhance treatment effectiveness and accessibility, especially for those who need regular therapy sessions. Plus, the trial explores how combining EMMA with traditional massages might boost overall therapeutic outcomes, potentially offering a new complementary approach to muscle relaxation and pain relief.

What evidence suggests that the EMMA massager is effective for massage therapy?

Studies have shown that the EMMA massager is easy to use and satisfying for healthy individuals. In one study, all participants (100%) found it worth trying, with many enjoying the warmth, pressure, and relaxation it provided. This trial will compare the EMMA massager with therapist-delivered massage therapy. If proven safe and effective, the EMMA massager could become a promising tool for effective massage therapy, potentially benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Brent Bauer, MD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in massage therapy. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so it's assumed that participants should be adults who can give consent and do not have any contraindications to receiving massages.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to provide informed consent

I am not pregnant and agree to use birth control during the study.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

An unstable medical or mental health condition as determined by the physician investigator

I cannot lay on my stomach.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive two massages: one using the EMMA Massager and another by a massage therapist, with a minimum of 24 hours between sessions

1-2 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for satisfaction and feasibility of the massage treatments

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation)

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of an electronic massager (EMMA) against traditional therapist-delivered massages. It focuses on measuring user satisfaction and the feasibility of using EMMA as a substitute or complement to professional massage services.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Therapist-delivered massage, then EMMA treatment Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects in this arm will first undergo a massage therapist-delivered massage treatment. A minimum of 24 hours later, the subjects will undergo massage therapy utilizing the EMMA Massager (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation).

Group II: EMMA treatment, then therapist-delivered massage Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects in this arm will first undergo massage therapy utilizing the EMMA Massager (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation). A minimum of 24 hours later, the subjects will undergo a massage therapist-delivered massage.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37698255/

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic ... Conclusions: This study suggests that the EMMA massager has high acceptability and satisfaction among healthy volunteers, thus demonstrating its feasibility.

2. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319231199010

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic ... Overall satisfaction with the EMMA massage therapy was high. All 20 volunteers (100%) considered it worthwhile to participate in this research ...

3. mayoclinic.elsevierpure.com mayoclinic.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/satisfaction-and-feasibility-evaluation-of-an-electronic-massager

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic ... Responses to open-ended post-treatment questions showed that most participants enjoyed the warmth (35%), pressure (25%), and relaxation (20%) ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/373892056_Satisfaction_and_Feasibility_Evaluation_of_an_Electronic_Massager-Expert_Manipulative_Massage_Automation_EMMA_A_Pilot_Study

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic ... This study suggests that the EMMA massager has high acceptability and satisfaction among healthy volunteers, thus demonstrating its feasibility.

5. www3.ntu.edu.sg www3.ntu.edu.sg/CorpComms2/Documents/2023/02_Feb/RoboticsandAutomation_230215_AiTreat%20EMMA%20clinical%20trial.pdf

Massage robot to start product evaluation in the US and ... “If an automated solution like EMMA is proven safe and effective, it will be of great help to both the healthcare community and our patients.”.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10498686/

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic ... This study suggests that the EMMA massager has high acceptability and satisfaction among healthy volunteers, thus demonstrating its feasibility.

7. aitreat.com aitreat.com/about-emma

About EMMA Massage therapy is generally safe when performed by a certified practitioner but there is a small possibility of risks involved. Certain individuals, such as ...

8. ieeexplore.ieee.org ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel8/6287639/10820123/10918642.pdf

Robotic Integration of Massage and Real-Time Tissue ... This study utilized the robotic system Expert Manipulative. Massage Automation (EMMA) as the experimental platform. ... safety and operability in ...

9. researchgate.net researchgate.net/figure/RISK-ASSESSMENT-OF-PHYSICAL-CONTACT-DURING-THE-MASSAGE-OPERATION_tbl2_335633874

RISK ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL CONTACT DURING ... This study utilized the robotic system Expert Manipulative Massage Automation (EMMA) as the experimental platform. The reliability and safety of the massage ...

10. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01691864.2025.2461799?src=

Advancements and challenges in the integration of robotics ... Taking the most advanced manipulative massage robot system, Enhanced Manipulative Massage Assistant (EMMA), as an example, EMMA is a massage robot developed by ...