Comparing an Electronic Approach to the Human Massage Therapist.
Mayo Clinic
Summary
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.
Description
Patients being evaluated in an outpatient service will be invited to participate in this study if they report a primary pain point in Low Back. Once they are enrolled in the study, they will be randomized to the type of massage therapy they will receive. Direct massage therapy through a certified massage therapist or indirect massage therapy through EMMA operated by a certified massage therapist.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * be 18 years of age or older. * report a primary pain point in the lower back. * Pain intensity reported at baseline * 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 * be able to participate fully in all aspects of the study. * have understood and signed study informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Patients with the inability to stay i…
Interventions
- DeviceEMMA massage therapy
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.
- OtherClinical massage treatment
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.
Location
- Mayo Clinic in RochesterRochester, Minnesota