Combined neck heat and acupressure to boost brain blood flow in middle-aged adults
Official title: 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
Run by Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital · NCT07324226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 9 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07324226 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.