Combined neck heat and acupressure to boost brain blood flow in middle-aged adults
Effects of Combined Heat Application and Acupressure to the Carotid Artery Region on Cerebral Blood Flow in Healthy Adults: An Investigator-Initiated, Single-Group, Single-Center, Prospective Case Study
This trial tests whether applying heat plus acupressure over the carotid artery region can increase cerebral blood flow in healthy adults aged 40 to 65.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 9 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do) |
| Trial ID | NCT07324226 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy volunteers aged 40–65 will receive combined heat application and acupressure to the carotid artery region in a rehab lab at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. Cerebral blood flow will be measured with SPECT imaging before and after the intervention to detect acute changes in regional perfusion. People with cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or neurological disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, skin lesions at the application site, seizure history, or use of medications that affect cerebral blood flow will be excluded. The study compares post-intervention imaging to each participant's baseline to determine whether the combined intervention alters cerebral blood flow.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 40–65 with no history of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or neurological disease, not pregnant or breastfeeding, and not taking medications that affect cerebral blood flow.
Not a fit: People with prior stroke, angina, epilepsy, active skin disease at the neck, current use of antihypertensive or antidepressant medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or recent participation in other clinical studies are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a simple, noninvasive way to increase cerebral blood flow in middle-aged adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small physiologic studies have shown that local heating or acupressure can change regional blood flow, but combining heat and acupressure over the carotid artery with SPECT imaging is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 40 to 65 years. * Individuals with no history of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases. * Individuals who have signed the informed consent form and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a history of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases (e.g., stroke, angina, epilepsy). Individuals currently taking medications that may affect cerebral blood flow (such as antihypertensive agents or antidepressants). Individuals with skin diseases or lesions that make it difficult to apply heat or acupressure devices to the carotid artery region, and individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Individuals with a history of seizures. Individuals who have participated in clinical studies two or more times in the same year, or who have participated in another clinical study within the past 6 months. Individuals who, in the judgment of the principal investigator or sub-investigator, have clinically significant findings that make them unsuitable for participation in this study.
Where this trial is running
Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do
- Rehab lab, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital — Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jisoo Baik, Doctoral
- Email: zisoo@pusan.ac.kr
- Phone: 82+055-360-4159
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.