Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07367607

Circadian Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Therapeutic Massage Modalities

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Sport Sciences, İnönü University

Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This randomized, within-subject crossover study examines the effects of different therapeutic massage modalities and time of day on resting-state EEG activity in elite male taekwondo athletes. Twelve athletes complete four experimental conditions: no-massage control, friction massage, vibration mechanical massage, and percussion mechanical massage. Each condition is administered during both morning and evening sessions, separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period.

Resting-state EEG is recorded immediately following each intervention using a 32-channel system. Power spectral density is computed to extract global band power in delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. The study aims to determine whether massage modality, circadian timing, or their interaction significantly influences cortical oscillatory activity associated with recovery and neural readiness.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

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.

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.

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Global EEG Band Power

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Topographical EEG Distribution

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention in morning and evening sessions.

    Spatial distribution of EEG band power across frontal and central scalp regions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Circadian Modulation of Neurophysiological Responses to Therapeutic Massage Modalities in Taekwondo Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.