StrokeNCT07454655
The Effect of Percussion Massage Therapy in Stroke Patients
A study testing exercises in people with Stroke and Viscoelastic Property, run by Sanko University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Stroke is an acute neurological condition resulting from cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage, frequently leading to impaired motor function, increased muscle tone, and deficits in balance and gait. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Stroke, Viscoelastic Property, Rehabilitation
- What is being tested?
- exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2026to 1 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Having had a unilateral stroke and being in the chronic phase (≥6 months, ≤2 years).
- Age: 40-65 years old.
- Hemiplegic patients with lower limb dysfunction.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24. Lower limb spasticity of 1-3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
- Full passive range of motion (ROM) in the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
- Ability to stand independently for at least 1 minute.
Who cannot join
- Individuals with neurological, orthopaedic, metabolic, and rheumatological conditions that may affect soft tissues.
- Patients who have undergone spasticity treatment or other therapies within the last three months.
- Individuals with lower limb injuries.
- Pregnant women.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Percussion Massage Therapy on Muscle Tone, Walking and Balance Functions in Chronic Stroke Patients
Stroke is an acute neurological condition resulting from cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage, frequently leading to impaired motor function, increased muscle tone, and deficits in balance and gait. Spasticity is a common long-term complication in individuals with chronic stroke and significantly affects functional mobility and quality of life.
Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) is an emerging intervention that combines principles of mechanical vibration and traditional soft tissue techniques. Although previous research has examined its effects in musculoskeletal and athletic populations, evidence regarding its use in individuals with chronic stroke remains limited.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of percussion massage therapy on muscle tone in individuals with chronic stroke and to determine whether changes in muscle tone are associated with improvements in gait and balance performance.
Read the detailed description
Stroke frequently results in persistent neuromuscular impairments, including increased muscle tone, altered motor control, and reduced postural stability. Spasticity, particularly in the chronic phase, contributes to joint stiffness, abnormal movement patterns, and decreased functional independence. Interventions targeting muscle tone reduction may therefore support improvements in gait and balance.
Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) is delivered handheld mechanical devices that apply rapid, repetitive pressure pulses to myofascial tissues. These mechanical stimuli are thought to promote muscle relaxation, enhance proprioceptive input, modulate pain perception, and facilitate local circulation. By inducing mechanical deformation within soft tissues, PMT may influence neuromuscular activation patterns and reduce hypertonicity.
While studies have reported beneficial effects of massage and vibration-based interventions on muscle stiffness and functional performance in various populations, data specifically addressing individuals with chronic stroke are scarce. In particular, the relationship between PMT-induced changes in spasticity and functional outcomes such as gait and balance has not been adequately explored.
This study is designed to evaluate the effects of PMT on muscle tone in individuals with chronic stroke and to examine whether potential reductions in spasticity translate into measurable improvements in gait and balance performance. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base for adjunctive rehabilitation strategies in chronic stroke management
- Conditions
- Stroke, Viscoelastic Property, Rehabilitation
- Being tested
- exercises
- Keywords
- stroke, viscoelastic property, Rehabilitation
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
exercisesOther
Treatment for both groups will last for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Assessment sessions will last 30-40 minutes and will be conducted independently of the treatment sessions. Assessment sessions will be conducted twice, before and after treatment.
The Classical Physiotherapy Programme applied to both groups will consist of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, walking and balance training, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the lower extremity muscles. Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT), which will be applied in addition to the experimental group, will be applied to the hip adductors, knee extensors, and ankle plantar flexors belonging to the lower extremity extensor synergy.
Application Method: PMT will be applied to each muscle group of the lower extremity for 2-3 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) | Experimental | Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) Receives: Other: exercises |
| Conventional Rehabilitation | Experimental | Conventional Rehabilitation Receives: Other: exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
10-Meter Walk Test:
a standard clinical measurement tool that objectively assesses an individual's walking speed. In the study area, the walking speed (m/s) is calculated by timing the middle 10 metres of a straight line.
Measured: 3 months
Myoton® PRO
measures muscle tone
Measured: 3 months
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG);
The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a practical test that assesses functional mobility components such as rising from a seated position, walking a certain distance, turning around, and sitting back down.
Measured: 3 months
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
The Berg Balance Scale is a clinical measure developed to assess static and dynamic balance and evaluate balance performance in activities of daily living. In stroke rehabilitation, the BBS is widely used to quantitatively determine balance impairment and monitor balance changes. It is one of the most frequently recommended balance assessment tools in stroke clinical practice guidelines worldwide and is associated with gait, fall risk, and postural control.
Measured: 3 months
Digital goniometer
Joint position sense and proprioception assessment will be performed using a digital goniometer for the hip, knee, and ankle joints. During measurement, the participant will be placed in the appropriate starting position, and the rele
Measured: 3 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Mar 2026
- Study start20 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 May 2026
- Study completion1 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for StrokeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The study will be conducted on stroke patients who apply to the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Research and Application Unit at Sanko University. Treatment and assessments will be carried out at this unit. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Experimental Group: Classic physiotherapy treatment + Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT); Control Group: Classic physiotherapy treatment only. For both groups, treatment will last for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Assessment sessions will last 30-40 minutes and will be conducted independently of the treatment sessions. Assessment sessions will be conducted twice: before and after treatment.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sanko University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hakan Polat, Sanko University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07454655
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- hakanpolat14
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Percussion Massage Therapy on Muscle Tone, Walking and Balance Functions in Chronic Stroke Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07454655
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- hakanpolat14
- Conditions
- Stroke, Viscoelastic Property, Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- stroke, viscoelastic property, Rehabilitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Sanko UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Stroke is an acute neurological condition resulting from cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage, frequently leading to impaired motor function, increased muscle tone, and deficits in balance and gait. Spasticity is a common long-term complication in individuals with chronic stroke and significantly affects functional mobility and quality of life.
Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) is an emerging intervention that combines principles of mechanical vibration and traditional soft tissue techniques. Although previous research has examined its effects in musculoskeletal and athletic populations, evidence regarding its use in individuals with chronic stroke remains limited.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of percussion massage therapy on muscle tone in individuals with chronic stroke and to determine whether changes in muscle tone are associated with improvements in gait and balance performance.
Detailed description
Stroke frequently results in persistent neuromuscular impairments, including increased muscle tone, altered motor control, and reduced postural stability. Spasticity, particularly in the chronic phase, contributes to joint stiffness, abnormal movement patterns, and decreased functional independence. Interventions targeting muscle tone reduction may therefore support improvements in gait and balance.
Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) is delivered handheld mechanical devices that apply rapid, repetitive pressure pulses to myofascial tissues. These mechanical stimuli are thought to promote muscle relaxation, enhance proprioceptive input, modulate pain perception, and facilitate local circulation. By inducing mechanical deformation within soft tissues, PMT may influence neuromuscular activation patterns and reduce hypertonicity.
While studies have reported beneficial effects of massage and vibration-based interventions on muscle stiffness and functional performance in various populations, data specifically addressing individuals with chronic stroke are scarce. In particular, the relationship between PMT-induced changes in spasticity and functional outcomes such as gait and balance has not been adequately explored.
This study is designed to evaluate the effects of PMT on muscle tone in individuals with chronic stroke and to examine whether potential reductions in spasticity translate into measurable improvements in gait and balance performance. The findings are expected to contribute to the evidence base for adjunctive rehabilitation strategies in chronic stroke management
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- The study will be conducted on stroke patients who apply to the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Research and Application Unit at Sanko University. Treatment and assessments will be carried out at this unit. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group and the control group. Experimental Group: Classic physiotherapy treatment + Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT); Control Group: Classic physiotherapy treatment only. For both groups, treatment will last for 6 weeks, 3 days per week, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Assessment sessions will last 30-40 minutes and will be conducted independently of the treatment sessions. Assessment sessions will be conducted twice: before and after treatment.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) | Experimental | Other: exercisesPercussion Massage Therapy (PMT) |
| Conventional Rehabilitation | Experimental | Other: exercisesConventional Rehabilitation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Having had a unilateral stroke and being in the chronic phase (≥6 months, ≤2 years).
- Age: 40-65 years old.
- Hemiplegic patients with lower limb dysfunction.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥24. Lower limb spasticity of 1-3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
- Full passive range of motion (ROM) in the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals with neurological, orthopaedic, metabolic, and rheumatological conditions that may affect soft tissues.
- Patients who have undergone spasticity treatment or other therapies within the last three months.
- Individuals with lower limb injuries.
- Pregnant women.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| exercisesTreatment for both groups will last for 6 weeks, 3 days a week, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Assessment sessions will last 30-40 minutes and will be conducted independently of the treatment sessions. Assessment sessions will be conducted twice, before and after treatment. The Classical Physiotherapy Programme applied to both groups will consist of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, walking and balance training, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the lower extremity muscles. Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT), which will be applied in addition to the experimental group, will be applied to the hip adductors, knee extensors, and ankle plantar flexors belonging to the lower extremity extensor synergy. Application Method: PMT will be applied to each muscle group of the lower extremity for 2-3 minutes. | Other | Conventional Rehabilitation, Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) |
Primary outcome
10-Meter Walk Test:
Time frame: 3 months
a standard clinical measurement tool that objectively assesses an individual's walking speed. In the study area, the walking speed (m/s) is calculated by timing the middle 10 metres of a straight line.
Myoton® PRO
Time frame: 3 months
measures muscle tone
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG);
Time frame: 3 months
The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is a practical test that assesses functional mobility components such as rising from a seated position, walking a certain distance, turning around, and sitting back down.
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Time frame: 3 months
The Berg Balance Scale is a clinical measure developed to assess static and dynamic balance and evaluate balance performance in activities of daily living. In stroke rehabilitation, the BBS is widely used to quantitatively determine balance impairment and monitor balance changes. It is one of the most frequently recommended balance assessment tools in stroke clinical practice guidelines worldwide and is associated with gait, fall risk, and postural control.
Digital goniometer
Time frame: 3 months
Joint position sense and proprioception assessment will be performed using a digital goniometer for the hip, knee, and ankle joints. During measurement, the participant will be placed in the appropriate starting position, and the rele
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Web-Based Tele-Rehabilitation Using Action Observation and Mirror Therapy for Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing exercises in people with Stroke and Viscoelastic Property, run by Sanko University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
10-Meter Walk Test: (time frame: 3 months). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Jun 2026.