Neck PainNCT07880574
Comparative Effects of Manuel and Percussion Massage in İndividuals With Neck Pain
A study testing Manual Massage and Percussion Massage in people with Neck Pain and Massage Therapy, run by Tarsus University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Massage Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Manual Massage and Percussion Massage
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 28 Aug 2024to 15 Aug 2025
- 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 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being between 18 and 25 years of age.
- 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.
Who cannot join
- History of cervical spine surgery.
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Tarsus University
Tarsus, Tarsus-Mersin Select One ---, 33400
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Hand-On and Percussion Massage in Individuals With Neck Pain
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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Massage Therapy
- Being tested
- Manual Massage, Percussion Massage
- Keywords
- manuel massage, percussion massage, rondomized controlled trial, neck pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Manual MassageOther
A single 20-minute session of manual massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist.
Percussion MassageOther
A single 20-minute session of percussion massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist using a percussion massage device.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Manuel massage group | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: Manual Massage |
| Percussion Massage Group | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: Percussion Massage |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Secondary outcomes (3)
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.
Measured: 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).
Measured: 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.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after each 20-minute intervention session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Oct 2026
- Study start28 Aug 2024
- Primary completion10 Aug 2025
- Study completion15 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Tarsus University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ayşenur Gökşen, Tarsus University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07880574
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/4-03
- Other IDs
- 2024/4-03
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 19 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Hand-On and Percussion Massage in Individuals With Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07880574
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024/4-03
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Massage Therapy
- Keywords
- manuel massage, percussion massage, rondomized controlled trial, neck pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Tarsus UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Oct 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.
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.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Manuel massage group | Experimental | Other: Manual MassageParticipants assigned to this group received a single 20-minute session of manual massage targeting the neck region. The intervention was administered by a physiotherapist. |
| Percussion Massage Group | Experimental | Other: Percussion MassageParticipants 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Being between 18 and 25 years of age.
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- History of cervical spine surgery.
- History of significant cervical trauma.
- Diagnosed neurological, rheumatological, or systemic musculoskeletal disorders.
- Presence of acute inflammatory conditions.
- Infection in the cervical or thoracic region.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Manual MassageA single 20-minute session of manual massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist. | Other | Manuel massage group |
| Percussion MassageA single 20-minute session of percussion massage was administered to the neck region by a physiotherapist using a percussion massage device. | Other | Percussion Massage Group |
Primary outcome
Muscle Stiffness
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
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.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in State Anxiety
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Change in Radial Pulse Rate
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.
Therapist Fatigue - Secondary Outcome Measure
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after each 20-minute intervention session.
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 19 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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 Manual Massage and Percussion Massage in people with Neck Pain and Massage Therapy, run by Tarsus 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 7 inclusion and 7 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 19 Oct 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?
Muscle Stiffness (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 20-minute intervention.). 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 19 Oct 2026.