Massage and Brain Activity in Healthy Adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In a randomized design, healthy adults will receive either Swedish massage or a light touch control twice weekly for six weeks while researchers measure brain activity with MRI and fMRI and track autonomic function. The study aims to identify brain networks activated by massage versus light touch and relate these changes to autonomic measures. It is conducted at the University of Utah, with sessions lasting about an hour and including screening and follow-up assessments.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female
* aged ≥ 18 and \< 65 years old
* Medically stable
* Psychiatrically healthy as demonstrated by a structured clinical interview that elicits no previous or current Axis I psychopathology
* Ability to lie prone or supine for one hour at a time, given the nature of the massage intervention
* Subjects must have a permanent domicile
* Subjects must be able to comply with the research protocol
* Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current (within 3 months of screening visit) nicotine use, illicit drug use, or long-term medication use that, in the opinion of the investigator, could alter the results of the study
* Pregnancy (per participant report, pregnancy testing not done for study)
* Usually is asleep during the daytime (ie due to Working third-shift), or any other behaviors that routinely disrupt normal diurnal (daily) rhythms
* Current (past month) rigorous dieting (defined as \<1200 calories per day for ≥2 consecutive days)
* In the month before screening visit, excessive regular use of alcohol, as defined by either of the following, twice a month or more often: (a drink is one 5 ounce glass of wine or equivalent) a. ingestion of 5 drinks or more in a 2 hour period b. ingestion of 7 drinks or more in a 24 hour period
* At screening visit, CURRENTLY using any of the following interventions because of psychological distress (for example, for treatment of anxiety and/or other psychiatric condition). (These types of treatments are also prohibited during the study period.) a. participating in psychotherapy b. participating in CAM (complementary and alternative medical interventions) c. taking medication(s) (for example anxiolytics, antidepressants, and other psychotropic medications)
* Participant meets criteria for current suicidal or homicidal ideation
* Subjects who have massages on a regular basis. Regular massage usage will be defined as receiving on average 4 or more massages/year for the last 5 years
* Subjects currently employing any other CAM manual therapy and/or holistic therapies to treat a perceived health problem
* History of head injury or neurological disorder, that in the investigator's opinion would impact the data or preclude safe and successful completion of the study - History of cancer that required chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.
* General contraindication to MRI - Because MRI uses a very strong magnet, subjects cannot have metals in their bodies or certain medical conditions. Subjects cannot have a cardiac pacemaker; hearing aid; any other implant metal in their body or eyes, including pins, screws, shrapnel, plates, teeth braces, or dentures. Subjects cannot have tattoos on their head, such as eyeliner or other permanent makeup, as they may make it impossible to get clear and usable images.
* Medical, psychiatric, cognitive, or other conditions that may compromise the subject's ability to understand the subject information, give informed consent, comply with the study protocol, or complete the study.
* Current participation in another research study (excluding large natural cohort trials such as 'All of Us')

Where it's running

• Huntsman Mental Health Institute
  Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Becky Kinkead, PhD — Utah, University of
• Study coordinator: Becky Kinkead, PhD
• Email: becky.kinkead@hsc.utah.edu
• Phone: 801-587-8626

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.