"Physiological Responses to Manual Pressure in Healthy Adults"

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Healthy Participants

In brief

This randomized experimental study will investigate how different intensities and application patterns of manual pressure applied to the upper trapezius muscle affect physiological responses in healthy adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (A) graded sustained pressure at a single point over the upper trapezius, (B) graded longitudinal kneading over a defined area of the upper trapezius, or (C) three standardized manual therapy protocols with increasing pressure (manual lymphatic drainage, light-pressure massage and moderate-pressure massage). In groups A and B, five individualized pressure levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 95% of each participant's pressure pain threshold) will be delivered for 2 minutes each in a single session. In group C, each participant will receive the three manual therapy protocols in separate randomized sessions. Autonomic (heart rate and heart rate variability), hormonal (capillary cortisol and VEGF in group C), sensory (mechanical pain thresholds), hemodynamic (blood pressure) and, in group C, vascular (left common carotid artery ultrasound) responses will be recorded before and after the interventions. The study will provide dose-response and mechanistic information to inform safer and more individualized manual therapy protocols.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07393815

Run by

Universidad Europea de Madrid

People needed

90

Starts

2026-03-01

Expected to finish

2026-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-65 years.
• Healthy volunteers without diagnosed cardiovascular, neurological or severe musculoskeletal disorders.
• No significant pain or pathology in the cervical, shoulder or upper back region that would interfere with pressure application.
• Ability to understand the study procedures and to provide written informed consent.
• Availability to attend the experimental session and the DEXA visit.

You may not qualify if…

• History of major cardiovascular disease (e.g., ischemic heart disease, heart failure, clinically significant arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension, stroke or transient ischemic attack).
• Neurological disorders affecting pain perception or autonomic function.
• Acute or chronic musculoskeletal conditions in the cervical or shoulder region that contraindicate manual pressure on the upper trapezius.
• Coagulation disorders or high-dose anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy that increases bleeding risk.
• Dermatologic conditions or skin lesions at sensor placement or pressure application sites.
• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy (due to DEXA scan).
• Regular use of medications with a major impact on autonomic or cardiovascular responses (e.g., beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics) that cannot be paused according to medical judgement.
• Substance abuse or acute alcohol/drug intake in the 24 hours prior to the experimental session.
• Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, may compromise safety or compliance.

Where it is running

• Universidad Europea de Madrid — Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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