Office massages to reduce stress and balance body signals

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

This randomized controlled trial compares three short office massage types—head, neck/shoulder, and hand massages—to quiet rest in sedentary female office workers. The study uses heart rate variability as an objective stress marker and collects self-reported measures of perceived stress, sleep quality, and well-being to see which massage area is most beneficial. Participants will undergo eight 15-minute sessions over four weeks. The primary aim is to determine which massage type most effectively reduces chronic stress and improves autonomic nervous system balance. A control group will help isolate the effects of massage from rest.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

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).

Self-reported regular menstrual cycle (cycle length 21-35 days). Able to attend all scheduled intervention sessions (8 sessions over 4 weeks). Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Current pregnancy or breastfeeding. Diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, deep vein thrombosis) or presence of a pacemaker Endocrine or metabolic disorders (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or other thyroid dysfunctions) Active cancer or receiving active cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation therapy) History of major surgery or trauma in the head, neck, or upper extremities within the last 3 months Current diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder) Regular use of medications affecting heart rate or the nervous system (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, antidepressants, anxiolytics, or asthma inhalers) Current participation in another interventional clinical trial

Where it's running

• The Red Cross Medical College of Rīga Stradiņš University
  Riga, Latvia, Latvia Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Una Veseta, PhD
• Email: una.veseta@rsu.lv
• Phone: +37129172627

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Ear (auricular) vagus nerve stimulation to see if a short session changes breathing test results

  This will test whether a brief, non-invasive electrical stimulation of the outer ear changes spirometry (breathing) measurements in healthy adults aged 18–40.

  Recruiting Sinop University · Sinop · NCT07482930

• Stress First Aid for substance use outreach workers

  This project will test whether an adapted Stress First Aid program helps substance use outreach workers in TX, LA, AR, OK, NM, and tribal areas feel more supported and less burned out compared with no treatment.

  Recruiting University of Texas at Austin · Austin, Texas · NCT07177014

• Training supervisors in Dutch SMEs to support mental health at work

  This study tests if training supervisors in small and medium-sized businesses in the Netherlands can help them better support their employees' mental health and reduce absenteeism.

  Recruiting VU University of Amsterdam · Amsterdam · NCT06989398

• Using mild cooling to protect hearing after noise exposure

  This study is testing whether a mild cooling device can help firefighters keep their hearing safe after being exposed to loud noise on the job.

  Recruiting Restorear Devices LLC · Miami, Florida · NCT06729632

• Comprehensive health checks for medical residents at AP‑HP hospitals

  This project will try twice-yearly health checks (a questionnaire and occupational visit) to see if they help identify physical, mental, sexual, and workplace health issues in medical residents at seven AP‑HP sites.

  Recruiting Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Paris, IDF and 2 other locations · NCT06588621

• An internet-based compassion course for healthcare professionals

  This study is testing an online compassion course to see if it can help healthcare workers feel less stressed and improve their job satisfaction.

  Recruiting Linnaeus University · Vaxjo, Kronoberg County · NCT04700878

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.