An interventional study of Manual Massage and Percussion Massage in Neck Pain and Massage Therapy, sponsored by Tarsus University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-19.
Sponsored by Tarsus University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of classical hands-on massage and percussion massage in individuals with neck pain. Participants were randomly assigned to receive one of the two massage techniques. The study evaluated changes in muscle mechanical properties, pressure pain sensitivity, and anxiety, as well as patient satisfaction and therapist fatigue. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of different massage techniques in the management of neck pain.
Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can affect daily activities and quality of life. Massage therapy is frequently used as a conservative treatment approach. Although percussion massage devices have become increasingly popular, evidence comparing their effects with traditional hands-on massage remains limited.
This randomized comparative study was designed to investigate the immediate physiological and psychological responses to these two massage techniques. The study also examined therapist-related outcomes to provide additional insight into the clinical application of manual and device-assisted massage.
1,259 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 256 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 28 is below the median of 52 across 1,026 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →Tarsus University is the lead sponsor of 80 studies on the registry; 28 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Being a student at Tarsus University.
Reporting neck pain within the previous three months.
Having a minimum pain intensity score of 3 on a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Being otherwise healthy.
Not currently receiving physiotherapy or massage treatment for neck pain.
Voluntarily agreeing to participate and providing written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
History of significant cervical trauma.
Diagnosed neurological, rheumatological, or systemic musculoskeletal disorders.
Presence of acute inflammatory conditions.
Infection in the cervical or thoracic region.
Contraindications to massage therapy, including open wounds, severe osteoporosis, or thrombosis.
Use of regular analgesic or muscle relaxant medication within 24 hours prior to the intervention.
Participants assigned to this group received a single 20-minute session of manual massage targeting the neck region. The intervention was administered by a physiotherapist.
Other: Manual Massage
Participants assigned to this group received a single 20-minute session of percussion massage targeting the neck region. The intervention was administered by a physiotherapist using a percussion massage device.
Other: Percussion Massage
A single 20-minute session of manual massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist.
A single 20-minute session of percussion massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist using a percussion massage device.
Muscle Stiffness
Muscle stiffness was assessed bilaterally in the cervical paravertebral, upper trapezius, and middle trapezius muscles using the MyotonPRO device. Three consecutive measurements were obtained at each site, and the mean value was recorded. Stiffness was expressed in N/m.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Change in State Anxiety
State anxiety was assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I), consisting of 20 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale. Total scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Change in Radial Pulse Rate
Radial pulse rate was measured manually to evaluate acute cardiovascular responses to the massage interventions. Heart rate was recorded in beats per minute (bpm).
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Therapist Fatigue - Secondary Outcome Measure
Therapist fatigue was assessed using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (worst imaginable fatigue). Higher scores indicate greater perceived physical fatigue.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after each 20-minute intervention session.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Tarsus University