Healthy, Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
The investigators have previously found moderately painful massage produces comparable changes in pain sensitivity as a conditioned pain modulation paradigm in healthy participants suggesting shared underlying mechanisms. The researchers aim to extend these findings by understanding the influence of expectation on these findings.
Detailed description
Massage is a muscle biased intervention individuals seek for pain alleviation; however, the mechanisms of massage are not well established. In this study, the investigators aim to determine the effect of expectations on massage related hypoalgesia. Individuals meeting eligibility criteria and agreeing to participate will attend one session that lasts approximately one hour. A myofascial trigger point (taut band of muscle tissue) will be assessed on the neck of the participant. Next, a baseline assessment of pressure pain threshold will be performed followed by random assignment to one of four study arms.
Interventions
OTHERPositive Expectation Instructional Set
Participants will be instructed that the massage is effective for some people with neck pain.
A pain inducing massage (pain intensity = 50/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
OTHERPain Free Massage
A pain free massage (pain intensity = 0/100) will be applied for 60 seconds, 4 times.
OTHERNegative Expectation Instructional Set
Participants will be instructed that the massage is ineffective for some people with neck pain.
Sponsors
University of Florida
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Participants will be masked to the type of instructional set received during the intervention. However, participants will be notified of this upon completion of the study.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Pain Free
Exclusion criteria
* non-English speaking * systemic medical condition known to affect sensation (i.e. diabetes) * regular use of prescription pain medication to manage pain * current or history of chronic pain condition * currently using blood thinning medication * any blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Pain Threshold | 1 hour | A computerized pressure algometer with a 1cm diameter rubber tip will be applied to the web space of the non-dominant foot. Participants are instructed to say stop so the stimulus can be terminated when the sensation first transitions from pressure to pain (threshold). |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed