Office Massage Effects on HRV and Stress

NCT07272031 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: OM_HRV_2025_RCMC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate which of three short office massage types (head, neck/shoulder area, or hand) is most effective for reducing chronic stress in women who perform sedentary office work. Many sedentary female office employees experience long-term tension and work-related strain, which can affect the body's ability to recover. The investigators are testing whether a 15-minute massage, performed twice a week for four weeks, can help restore balance within the body. The investigators will evaluate the impact of these massages using Heart Rate Variability (HRV)-an objective measure that shows how well the body manages stress (autonomic nervous system balance)-as well as analyzing participants' self-reported levels of perceived stress, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Participants receiving massage will be compared to a control group engaging in quiet rest.

Conditions

Occupational Health; Stress; Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Functioning and Mood State

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change from Baseline in Morning Resting Heart Rate Variability (rMSSD) at 4 Weeks

  Baseline, Periprocedural and Week 4

• Change from Baseline in Perceived Stress Level (PSS-10 Score) at 4 Weeks

  Baseline and Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Sleep Quality: Assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score

  Baseline and Week 4

• General Self-Efficacy: Assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) score

  Baseline and Week 4

• Emotional Well-being: Assessed using the World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5) score

  Baseline and Week 4

• Neck Functional Limitation: Assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) score

  Baseline and Week 4

• Hand and Shoulder Functionality: Assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire score

  Baseline and Week 4

Other Outcomes (6)

• Age of Participants

  Baseline

• Smoking Status Categories

  Baseline

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline

Study Arms (4)

Head Massage

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Duration and Frequency: 15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Massage focuses on the scalp, temples, and auricles (outer ear) with the aim of stimulating cranial nerves, particularly branches of the vagus nerve. The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Procedure: Head Massage Intervention

Cervical Area Massage

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Duration and Frequency: 15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Deep tissue and kneading massage techniques applied primarily to the trapezius muscles, levator scapulae, and sub-occipital region (neck/shoulders). The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Procedure: Cervical Area Massage Intervention

Hand Massage

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Duration and Frequency: 15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Compression, rubbing, and stroking techniques applied to the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hands, fingers, and wrists. The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Procedure: Hand Massage Intervention

Quiet Rest Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Duration and Frequency: Participants are seated in the same office chair for a structured 15-minute period, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Participants are instructed to sit quietly, avoid work-related activity, and refrain from using electronic devices. This arm controls for the effect of researcher attention and time spent away from work.

Other: Quiet Rest Control

Interventions

Head Massage Intervention PROCEDURE

15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Massage focuses on the scalp, temples, and auricles (outer ear) with the aim of stimulating cranial nerves, particularly branches of the vagus nerve. The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Head Massage

Cervical Area Massage Intervention PROCEDURE

15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Deep tissue and kneading massage techniques applied primarily to the trapezius muscles, levator scapulae, and sub-occipital region (neck/shoulders). The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Cervical Area Massage

Hand Massage Intervention PROCEDURE

15 minutes per session, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Compression, rubbing, and stroking techniques applied to the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hands, fingers, and wrists. The procedure is performed by a licensed massage therapist while the participant is seated in an office chair.

Hand Massage

Quiet Rest Control OTHER

Participants are seated in the same office chair for a structured 15-minute period, 2 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks (8 sessions total). Focus: Participants are instructed to sit quietly, avoid work-related activity, and refrain from using electronic devices. This arm controls for the effect of researcher attention and time spent away from work.

Quiet Rest Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Biological females aged 18 years or older. Currently working in an office job with at least 75% of the working day spent sitting (sedentary work).
• Must report a regular menstrual cycle (cycle length 21-35 days) for at least the past 6 months.
• Able to attend all scheduled intervention sessions (8 sessions over 4 weeks). Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Use of hormonal contraceptives or other hormone-containing therapies (e.g., Intrauterine Device (IUDs), patches, birth control pills).
• Pregnancy, current breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period.
• Menopause (natural or surgically induced). Diagnosis of a severe chronic disease (e.g., heart failure, insulin-dependent diabetes, diagnosed neurological disorder).
• Active cancer or history of cancer within the last 5 years. Current diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder).
• Current use of psychotropic medications that could significantly affect Heart Rate Variability (HRV) (e.g., certain beta-blockers, anti-depressants).
• History of recent surgery (within the last 3 months) in the neck or upper extremities.
• Participation in another clinical trial simultaneously.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riga Stradins University: lead

Central Study Contacts

Una Veseta, PhD

CONTACT

+37129172627; una.veseta@rsu.lv

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lead Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 18, 2025
• First Posted: December 9, 2025
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Last Updated: December 9, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share