An interventional study of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Classical Massage in Autonomic and Hemodynamic Responses in Older Adults, sponsored by Mersin University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 60 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-12.
Sponsored by Mersin University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
**Study Objective**
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of manual lymphatic drainage massage and classical massage on autonomic and hemodynamic responses in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and older. The study is expected to contribute to understanding the effects of massage interventions on autonomic and hemodynamic responses and to the development of evidence-based, non-pharmacological interventions supporting older adults' health.
**Study Hypotheses**
Primary Hypothesis (H01): The effects of a single 15-minute session of manual lymphatic drainage massage and classical massage on cardiac autonomic function in community-dwelling older adults differ from those observed in the delayed-intervention control group.
Secondary Hypothesis (H02): The effects of a single 15-minute session of manual lymphatic drainage massage and classical massage on hemodynamic responses in community-dwelling older adults differ from those observed in the delayed-intervention control group.
**Study Design and Procedures**
A total of 75 participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: manual lymphatic drainage massage, classical massage, or a delayed-intervention control group.
Participants in the manual lymphatic drainage massage group will receive a single 15-minute session involving gentle, rhythmic massage techniques applied to the neck and supraclavicular regions. Participants in the classical massage group will receive a single 15-minute session involving traditional massage techniques applied to the neck and shoulders. Participants in the delayed-intervention control group will rest for 15 minutes without receiving massage.
Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure will be measured before and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period in all three groups. HRV measures the natural variation in time between heartbeats and provides information about the regulation of heart function by the autonomic nervous system.
Changes in these measurements will be compared among the three groups to evaluate short-term autonomic and hemodynamic responses.
After completion of the study, participants in the delayed-intervention control group will be offered a massage intervention based on the study findings.
Mersin University is the lead sponsor of 181 studies on the registry; 48 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Clinically significant
Judged by the study doctor to matter for your health or for the study. It is a doctor’s decision, so ask the study team if you are unsure whether something counts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in this group will receive a single 15-minute manual lymphatic drainage massage session targeting the cervical and supraclavicular regions in the supine position. The massage will follow the basic principles of the Dr. Vodder method, using gentle, rhythmic, superficial pressure and stationary circular movements at a rate of 20-30 movements per minute. Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure will be measured before (Z0) and after (Z1) the intervention.
Other: Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Participants assigned to this group will receive a single 15-minute classical massage session targeting the neck and shoulder regions bilaterally. The massage will begin with gentle, rhythmic effleurage (stroking), followed by petrissage (kneading) and controlled friction movements, and will end with gentle effleurage. Fragrance-free baby oil without colorants, preservatives, or added vitamins will be used. The massage will be performed without causing pain or discomfort. Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure will be measured before (Z0) and after (Z1) the intervention.
Other: Classical Massage
Participants assigned to the delayed-intervention control group will not receive any massage intervention during the main study period. They will rest for 15 minutes under the same environmental conditions as the intervention groups. Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure will be measured before (Z0) and after (Z1) the rest period, using the same measurement intervals as the intervention groups. After completion of the study, participants will be offered one session of the massage intervention found to be more effective based on the study results.
Participants will be placed in a comfortable supine position with head and neck support. Privacy and hand hygiene will be ensured. Manual lymphatic drainage will follow Dr. Vodder principles, using gentle, rhythmic, superficial pressure without sliding or deep tissue compression. The skin will be gently stretched within its elastic limits and released. Stationary circular movements will be applied from the cervical region toward the supraclavicular terminal area, with very gentle lateral-to-medial movements near the supraclavicular fossa. The massage will last 15 minutes at 20-30 movements per minute, avoiding pain. Afterward, participants will remain supine, be monitored for adverse effects, and undergo post-intervention measurements of heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure without changing position.
Before the massage, participants will be positioned comfortably, and the neck and shoulders will be prepared. Privacy and hand hygiene will be ensured. Fragrance-free baby oil without colorants, preservatives, or vitamins will be used, and the hands will be warmed. Classical massage will be applied bilaterally to the neck and shoulders using effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), and friction techniques. The session will begin with gentle, rhythmic effleurage, followed by petrissage of the neck and shoulder muscles and controlled friction over appropriate muscle areas. Gentle effleurage will conclude the session. All movements will avoid pain or discomfort. The massage will last 15 minutes to match the MLD-m intervention duration. Afterward, participants will rest, be monitored for adverse effects, and undergo post-intervention measurements of heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate, and blood pressure.
Change in Heart Rate Variability (SDNN)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate Variability (RMSSD)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate Variability (pNN50)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate Variability (LF)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate Variability (HF)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate Variability (LF/HF Ratio)
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: Baseline (Z0) and immediately after the 15-minute massage or rest period (Z1)
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: Yes
Supporting information: Study protocol
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Dec 2026; primary completion for Jun 2027, 6 months later.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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 not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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