Percussive Massage for Muscular Atrophy

Overseen By Ty Hopkins, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brigham Young University

Must not be taking: Blood pressure, Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Smoking, Pregnancy, Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Cognitive, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 21

36 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, if you are taking prescribed medications or anti-depressants, you will not be eligible to participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Percussive Massage for Muscular Atrophy?

Research shows that percussive massage can increase flexibility by improving the range of motion in muscles, similar to traditional massage. However, there is limited evidence on its effects specifically for muscular atrophy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is percussive massage therapy safe for humans?

There is a case report of a severe condition called rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) following the use of a percussion massage gun, indicating potential safety concerns. However, there is limited research on the safety of these devices, and more studies are needed to understand their effects. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

How does percussive massage treatment differ from other treatments for muscular atrophy?

Percussive massage treatment is unique because it uses a handheld device to deliver targeted vibrations to muscles, which can increase flexibility and range of motion without affecting muscle strength. This approach is different from traditional therapies that may not focus on vibration or use mechanical devices. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary aims of this study are to determine the effect of percussive massage (30 min/session, 2 sessions/day, daily) during 10 days of unilateral limb immobilization on preserving muscle, vascular, and mitochondrial function. The following hypotheses will be tested: Hypothesis 1: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of size, strength and endurance over the immobilization period compared to the control group, as measured by MRI, maximal isometric and isokinetic force production and muscle endurance test using Biodex dynamometry. Hypothesis 2: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of vascular function and blood flow compared to the control group as measured by passive leg movement and femoral artery blood flow. Hypothesis 3: Percussive massage will attenuate the loss of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and decrease H2O2 production during immobilization compared to the control group, as measured by high-resolution respirometry.

Research Team

Robert Hyldahl, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Brigham Young University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-50, who have been physically active without changes for the past 6 months and haven't had a leg injury that affects knee extension. It's not for those who regularly use massage therapy on their thigh, are pregnant or trying to be, smoke, have heart/metabolic/cognitive diseases, or take certain medications like blood pressure drugs.

Inclusion Criteria

I have no leg injuries that stop me from doing leg straightening exercises.

Stable levels of physical activity for at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within next month

I have a heart, metabolic, or cognitive condition like Alzheimer's.

You smoke cigarettes or marijuana.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-measures

Pre-measures including MRI scan, blood flow and vascular function measurement, muscle biopsy, and muscle strength and endurance measurement

2 days

2 visits (in-person)

Immobilization

Participants undergo 10 days of unilateral limb immobilization with percussive massage or control treatment

10 days

18 visits (in-person)

Post-measures

Post-measures including MRI scan, vascular function measurement, biopsy, and muscle strength and endurance tests

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Leg Immobilization
• Percussive Massage

Trial Overview The study tests if percussive massage (a type of deep-tissue massage) twice daily can help maintain muscle size, strength, endurance, blood flow and mitochondrial function in one leg while it's immobilized for ten days. Participants' muscle health will be compared with a control group not receiving the massages.

Participant Groups

Group I: Massage Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects will receive a daily 30 minute percussive massage treatment on the knee extensor muscles twice per day during the 10 day immobilization period

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

This group will lie on the bed for a total of 30 minutes, but receive no massage

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brigham Young University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

23

Recruited

10,200+

Findings from Research

Percussive therapy (PT) using massage guns can lead to immediate improvements in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength, and flexibility, based on a systematic review of 13 studies.

Multiple applications of PT can significantly reduce musculoskeletal pain, suggesting that massage guns may be a practical and cost-effective option for enhancing recovery and performance in strength training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review. Sams, L., Langdown, BL., Simons, J., et al.[2023]

A 5-minute handheld percussive massage treatment significantly increased the range of motion (ROM) in the calf muscles by 5.4° (+18.4%) in a study of 16 healthy male volunteers, indicating its effectiveness for improving flexibility.

However, the treatment did not affect maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the plantar flexor muscles, suggesting that while it can enhance flexibility, it does not improve muscle strength.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles' Range of Motion and Performance. Konrad, A., Glashüttner, C., Reiner, MM., et al.[2021]

A study involving 65 active young adults found that using a massage gun for 5 minutes after intense lower body exercise did not significantly improve physical recovery measures like strength or range of motion.

Interestingly, participants reported a small increase in perceived muscle soreness after using the massage gun, suggesting that it may not be beneficial immediately post-exercise and caution is advised when using these devices in recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Under the Gun: The effect of percussive massage therapy on physical and perceptual recovery in active adults. Leabeater, AJ., Clarke, AC., James, L., et al.[2023]

Percussive massage therapy (PMT) significantly improved balance and physical performance in young adults, showing better results than static stretching (SS) in all measured parameters.

Dynamic stretching (DS) also led to significant improvements, but PMT was found to be a more effective alternative for enhancing performance and balance before exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of percussion massage therapy, dynamic stretching, and static stretching on physical performance and balance. Menek, MY., Menek, B.[2023]

A case report describes a young woman developing severe rhabdomyolysis after using a percussion massage gun, highlighting the potential risks associated with their use, especially in individuals with underlying health conditions like iron deficiency anemia.

The patient required aggressive treatment and recovered well, but this case emphasizes the need for caution and further research on the safety and efficacy of percussion massage guns in both athletes and nonathletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhabdomyolysis After the Use of Percussion Massage Gun: A Case Report. Chen, J., Zhang, F., Chen, H., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 60 studies on massage therapy in children found that while many studies did not report adverse events (AEs), 26.6% reported at least one AE, ranging from mild to severe.

Notably, there was a concerning association between abdominal massage and severe AEs, including volvulus in premature infants, which raises safety concerns and suggests caution in using abdominal massage for this vulnerable population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events associated with paediatric massage therapy: a systematic review. Karkhaneh, M., Zorzela, L., Jou, H., et al.[2022]

In a study of 25 patients with atonic-astatic infantile cerebral paralysis, those who received eight 20-day courses of toning massage and special exercises showed significant improvements in their static and dynamic functions.

In contrast, the control group of 10 patients who did not receive the treatment showed no notable changes in locomotor function, highlighting the efficacy of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The role of therapeutic physical training and massage in the restoration of static and dynamic functions in the children presenting with the atonic-astatic form of infantile cerebral paralysis]. Paramonova, DB., Mugerman, BI.[2016]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review. [2023]

2. Turkey pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles' Range of Motion and Performance. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Under the Gun: The effect of percussive massage therapy on physical and perceptual recovery in active adults. [2023]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of percussion massage therapy, dynamic stretching, and static stretching on physical performance and balance. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rhabdomyolysis After the Use of Percussion Massage Gun: A Case Report. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events associated with paediatric massage therapy: a systematic review. [2022]

7. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The role of therapeutic physical training and massage in the restoration of static and dynamic functions in the children presenting with the atonic-astatic form of infantile cerebral paralysis]. [2016]