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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06679400

Effects of Myofascial Massage and Patient-therapist Communication Levels on Shoulder Muscle Properties in Breast Cancer Survivors With Myofascial Pain

The objective of the proposed study is to assess how myofascial massage alters stiffness and microvascular perfusion of shoulder muscles and how these changes are influenced by patient-therapist interactions.

The primary hypothesis is that stiffness of shoulder muscles will be decreased, and microvascular perfusion will be increased after a 30-minute myofascial massage, and that the addition of patient-therapist communication levels will result in greater changes with certain levels.

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Key information

Conditions

Pain, Myofacial Facial Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

About this study

Please note that there are certain details left off of this registration in order to collect information regarding certain aspects of the trial. These details (approved by the IRB) will be updated at the end of the trial.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Previous unilateral breast cancer diagnosis
  • Treatment for primary breast cancer was completed 3 months to 2 years prior to enrollment (defined as completion of all treatments except oral maintenance therapies)
  • Myofascial pain in upper quadrant of the chest
  • Ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Chronic neuromuscular or orthopedic injury currently affecting upper extremity function that is unrelated to their cancer diagnosis
  • Currently undergoing physical therapy, occupational therapy or other treatment for side effects related to their cancer diagnosis or other injury to the upper extremity
  • History of fibromyalgia
  • Broken or bruised skin in the chest/shoulder area
  • Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
  • Currently receiving treatment for other forms of cancer

Treatment and study plan

massage

Behavioral

Participants will have one massage that will last 30 minutes and focus on the chest and shoulder of the side that received the cancer treatment. There will be certain techniques applied during the intervention (per protocol). The timing and order of each element will be varied based on tissue response and patient feedback.

All participants will have ultrasounds and complete surveys prior and after the massage.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Muscle Stiffness of the Pectoralis Major

    Time frame: Baseline, post massage (approximately 5 minutes and 60 minutes)

    This will be assessed by ultrasound shear wave elastography before and after myofascial massage. Reported as the average shear wave velocity value at the most medial inferior site imaged.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Muscle Perfusion of the Pectoralis Major

    Time frame: Baseline, post massage (approximately 5 minutes and 60 minutes)

    This will be assessed by color flow Doppler imaging before and after myofascial massage. Reported as color pixel density (% of pixels where flow is detected across a 5-second cine clip) at the most medial inferior site imaged.

  2. Global Satisfaction Measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change

    Time frame: Approximately 7 days post-intervention

    This is a one question that participants chose from Very much improved (0) - Very much worse (6).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Michigan

Other

Collaborators

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 7, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 22, 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.

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