Circadian Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Therapeutic Massage Modalities

NCT07367607 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PNU-10
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Athletic performance and recovery are closely linked to central nervous system regulation, which can be objectively assessed using electroencephalography (EEG). Although therapeutic massage is widely used as a recovery modality in combat sports, its neurophysiological effects and potential interaction with circadian timing remain poorly understood. This study investigates whether different therapeutic massage modalities applied at different times of the day modulate resting-state EEG activity in taekwondo athletes.

Conditions

Healthy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Global EEG Band Power

  Log-transformed power spectral density values for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands obtained from resting-state EEG recordings.

  Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Topographical EEG Distribution

  Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

Study Arms (3)

Friction Massage (FMP)

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: FMP

Vibration Mechanical Massage (VMMP)

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: VMMP

Percussion Mechanical Massage (PMMP)

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: PMMP

Interventions

FMP BEHAVIORAL

Manual therapeutic massage consisting of rhythmic, sustained friction techniques applied by a certified physiotherapist to the dominant upper extremity muscles. Moderate-to-strong pressure was applied for a total duration of 10 minutes using a standardized intermittent protocol.

Friction Massage (FMP)

VMMP DEVICE

Therapeutic vibration massage delivered using a handheld vibration device set at a fixed frequency of 50 Hz. The device was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to provide localized high-frequency mechanical stimulation.

Vibration Mechanical Massage (VMMP)

PMMP DEVICE

Therapeutic percussion massage administered using a handheld percussive therapy device delivering rapid mechanical impulses at approximately 40 Hz. The intervention was applied to the dominant upper extremity muscles for 10 minutes to elicit deep somatosensory stimulation.

Percussion Mechanical Massage (PMMP)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male taekwondo athletes aged 18-25 years
• Minimum of 4 years of structured taekwondo training
• Training frequency ≥ 5 days/week
• Black belt (1st Dan or higher)
• No musculoskeletal injury in the past 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Neurological or psychiatric disorders
• Use of stimulant substances or anti-inflammatory medication
• Irregular sleep-wake patterns (e.g., shift work)
• Withdrawal of consent at any stage

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Sport Sciences, İnönü University

Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

N-formylmethionylphenylalanine

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 17, 2026
• First Posted: January 26, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: January 5, 2026
• Last Updated: January 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

TU (1)