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NCT Number: NCT07042776

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic Massager Compared to Massage Therapist-delivered Massage

The objective of this study is to evaluate the practicality and acceptability of using an electronic massager. Additionally, it aims to compare user satisfaction between the experience with an electric massager and a massage provided by a professional massage therapist.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Massage Therapy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

About this study

This study is being done to understand how practical and acceptable EMMA, an electronic massage device, is, and the satisfaction of the EMMA massage compared to massage therapy given by a certified massage therapist. Participants will also be asked to have two massages, one given by EMMA and another delivered by a massage therapist. The order in which participants will receive each massage will be determined by randomization.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 years or older
  • Ability to provide informed consent
  • Women of childbearing potential who self-report not being pregnant and agree to employ an effective method of birth control (surgical sterilization or oral contraceptives, barrier method with spermicides, intrauterine device, etc.) during the study period
  • Ability to complete all aspects of this trial

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Patients with inability of staying in a prone position
  • Patients with bleeding disorders
  • Patients with a current diagnosis of cancer or being treated for cancer
  • Patients with allergies and/or local skin affectations
  • An unstable medical or mental health condition as determined by the physician investigator

Treatment and study plan

EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation)

Device

For the EMMA massage, the subject lies down on the robot platform in a prone position. A therapist sets the robot parameters. The EMMA electronic massager applies massage to the focus points on the back of the participants guided by cameras and computer programs. Treatment lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.

Therapist-delivered massage

Other

For the therapist-delivered massage treatment, the licensed massage therapist will follow standard of care protocol. Treatment lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of patients enrolled

    Time frame: Duration of study, approximately 2 years

    Feasibility will be determined by the total number of patients screened in order to accrue the 40 needed to complete the study.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic Massager (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation -EMMA) Compared to Massage Therapist-delivered Massage

Acronym: EMMA2

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 29, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 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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