Electronic Approach to the Human Massage Therapist

Part of paid clinical trials in Rochester, Minnesota.

Sponsor
Mayo Clinic
Study ID
NCT07040397
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Lower Back Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • EMMA massage therapy — DEVICE
    Expert Manipulative Massage Automation (EMMA) is equipped with sensors to measure muscle stiffness and uses 3D vision technology to measure muscle stiffness and identify pressure points while delivering a massage to patients. Following that, the electronic massager will determine the best course of action for our patients based on the information stored by our Artificial Intelligence and EMMA's robotic arm will perform the massage. EMMA executes massages through soft treatment modules that are warmed to a temperature of between 38℃ and 40℃ to mimic human touch.
  • Clinical massage treatment — OTHER
    The direct person clinical massage treatment will be delivered by a clinical licensed massage therapist. The type of massage will follow the EMMA massage in that it will be a deep tissue massage (to mimic the Tuina massage) and generally will be for about 30 minutes to once again mimic the duration of massage therapy of the EMMA.

Study Details

The purpose of this study is to gather information about patient experience receiving a massage through a robotic EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation) compared to receiving a massage from a massage therapist.

Key Dates

Start date
Jan 30, 2026
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
Oct 1, 2026
Completion
Oct 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER

Arms

  • Experimental: Indirect person massage therapy
    A massage therapist will program and direct an Artificial Intelligence Robotic Arm (EMMA) to deliver massage therapy. EMMA executes massages through soft treatment modules that are warmed to a temperature of between 38℃ and 40℃ to mimic human touch. This treatment will last approximately 20 minutes.
  • Active Comparator: Direct person massage therapy
    Clinical massage treatment procedures are delivered by a clinically licensed massage therapist. This treatment will last approximately 20 minutes.

Primary Outcome Measure

Number of patients enrolled [ Time Frame: baseline to end of study (year 2) ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Mayo Clinic in RochesterRochesterMinnesota55905
Pearl Buabeng
[email protected]
507-266-1213
Michael Mueller (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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