Thammerton Research

Abstract

Data has shown that whole body vibration can affect blood flow velocity in arteries and improves cutaneous blood flow. However, there is very limited information available on therapeutic localized vibration. Massage guns have become very popular with little to no research validating their efficacy. It is currently unknown if massages guns can affect arterial blood flow. PURPOSE: To determine if massage gun treatment at 30Hz improves and retains blood flow in the popliteal artery as compared to a control condition. METHODS: There were 12 participants in this study (8 males and 4 females). The mean age was 22.7±1.6 yrs, the mean height was 181.1± 11.8 cm, and the mean weight was 78.2±16.2 kg. Participants wore shorts that allowed us to access their popliteal artery using ultrasound imaging. Participants wore electrodes to control the measurement of blood flow from widest artery diameter. Participants lay prone with a foam roller under their ankles to slightly elevate their feet. After ten minutes of rest, ultrasound imaging was used to find the participant’s popliteal artery behind the knee and took two baseline measurements. We measured the mean velocity of blood flow (TAmean) and volume flow (VolF). We measured subjects on 4 different days (30Hz at 5 minutes, 30Hz 10 minutes, Control 5 minutes, Control 10 minutes). Measurements of TAmean and VolF were measured at multiple time points after treatment. RESULTS: A two-factor repeated measures analysis was performed. Each subject was measured under all levels of condition (1=30hz 5 min, 4=Control 5 mi, 5=30hz 10 min, 8=Control 10 min) and time (baseline, post, post1-5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19). TA mean is significantly greater in 30Hz versus control (p=0.0349). TAmean varies across time, and the effect of the condition on TAmean is related to time (p=0.0104). There is not a significant difference in flow between 30Hz and control (p=0.2425). Blood flow varies across time (pCONCLUSION: Use of a massage gun at a lower frequency setting of 30Hz may cause slight increases in velocity but does not increase mean blood flow as compared to control. Lower frequency settings on massage guns may not be benefit blood flow in the massaged muscle group.

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss2/75/

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

A 30-year-old man presented to the ophthalmology clinic with a 1-week history of blurred vision in his right eye. He reported using a massage gun on the periocular regions bilaterally for 3 months. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed bilateral iris atrophy in the inferonasal region. The right eye showed anterior subcapsular and cortical cataract at the visual axis, accompanied by mild phacodonesis. The left eye lens had dot opacities without lens subluxation. The patient underwent right phacoemulsification with implantation of a multifocal intraocular lens. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral traumatic cataract with symmetrical iris atrophy resulting from repetitive periocular massage using a massage gun.

Ocular injury is frequently encountered in ophthalmology clinics. It is estimated that there are 55 million activity-restricting eye injuries each year. Traumatic cataract is a potential complication of ocular injury, occurring in 1%–15% of all cases and in 43%–55% of open globe injuries. Traumatic cataract typically follows a one-time injury to the eye; however, traumatic cataract due to relatively low-energy, repetitive vibration is rarely documented.

We report a case of bilateral traumatic cataract with symmetrical iris atrophy after repetitive periocular massage with a massage gun. We believe this is the first such case reported in the literature.

https://journals.lww.com/ijog/fulltext/2021/01040/Massage_gun_induced_ocular_injury___A_case_report.32.aspx

Introduction:

Plantar fasciitis occurs with the deterioration of the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues around the heel’s medial calcaneal tuberosity, often causing tightness in the calf muscles. These tight muscles can interfere with normal biomechanics during walking. Percussion massage guns, following the concept of vibrating foam rollers, aim to enhance the effectiveness of self-myofascial release. Despite their growing popularity, there is limited research on these devices. This study examines the effects of muscle guns on range of motion, key physiological or biomechanical factors contributing to plantar fasciitis, and their ability to reduce muscle tightness.

Methodology:

Subjects with plantar fasciitis (n = 48) will be recruited for a single-blind RCT. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups with a one-to-one allocation ratio. Group A will receive treatment via Theragun, hot/cold immersion therapy, and a home exercise regimen for one week following baseline evaluations and randomization. Group B will only undergo calf stretching, a contrast bath, and a home exercise regimen. Both groups will treat their calf muscles for 5 minutes daily over 7 sessions. After one week, the efficacy of the treatments will be assessed using ankle flexibility tests, VAS, universal goniometers, active manual muscle testing, and the PFPS as outcome measures.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354957530

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1413355524000790

Abstract

Massage gun devices are relatively new and verification of their claims to reduce muscle soreness is needed. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of percussive treatment using a massage gun on calf muscle soreness. METHODS: The session included measurement of age (22.5±4.0), height (164.1±9.6), and body weight (77.7±15.9) for 37 participants, Participants performed one trial of heel raises with a 4.5 kg (males) or 2.3 kg (females) dumbbell to a 70 b/min cadence to exhaustion, followed by 1-min rest and another trial in the same way but without weight. Two types of written scales (VAS and interval) were provided for evaluation of soreness at 24- and 48-hrs. IBM SPSS V29 (Chicago, IL) was used to analyze the data. Friedman’s test and Spearman’s rho correlations were with Alpha set at .05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in calf muscle soreness at the 24 hour and 48 hour time points, χ²₍₃₎= 4.146, p = .246 using the VAS scale. There were no significant differences in calf muscle soreness at the 24 hour and 48 hour time points, χ²₍₃₎= 3.712, p = .294 using the interval scale. There was a moderately strong positive relationship in soreness rating of the right and left calf at 24 hrs (r₍₃₅₎ = .64, p=.001) as well as 48hrs (r₍₃₅₎ = .67, p=.001) using the VAS rating scale. The interval scale also indicated a moderately strong positive relationship in soreness level of the right and left calf at 24 hrs (r₍₃₅₎ = .59, p=.001) as well as 48hrs (r₍₃₅₎ = .77, p=.001). CONCLUSION: It does not appear from this study that massage guns effectively reduce muscle soreness considering no significant differences in muscle soreness were found between the control calf and the treated calf. The stimulus may not have been strong enough or lasted long enough to effect circulation or other means of healing effect. Future studies can explore different brands of massage guns as well as if duration and occurrence have different effects on muscle soreness.

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.33846/sf15203

Abstract

Background:Musculoskeletal pain is a prevalent concern among diverse populations, from the average individual to the elite athlete. Handheld percussive massage therapy devices like massage guns have gained much popularity in both medical and athletic settings. Its application has been prominently recognized in injury prevention and rehabilitation. The expansion of the market to provide handheld percussive therapy devices with varying features and price points has encouraged professional and novice use. While percussive therapy holds similarities to more studied therapeutic modalities, like vibration therapy and soft tissue mobilization, there is limited evidence-based information on the indications and contraindications.

Objective:This study aims to use a qualitative analysis of consumer perceptions to understand the perceived therapeutic potential of percussive massage therapy as a home-based intervention for musculoskeletal concerns of everyday users and elite athletes. Additionally, we aim to gain insight on valuable characteristics supporting its therapeutic potential as well as pertinent limitations.

Methods:The TOLOCO massage gun (TOLOCO) was identified as the best-selling percussive massage therapy device on Amazon. We performed an inductive thematic qualitative analysis on the top 100 positive comments and the top 100 critical comments of the device between June 2020 and April 2023 to determine 4 relevant themes.

Results:The 4 themes identified upon qualitative analysis were pain management, versatility, accessibility, and safety and user education. Consumer reviews indicated use for this percussive therapy device in adolescents, adults, and older people across a spectrum of activity levels. Consumers reported the therapeutic potential of percussive massage therapy in managing wide-ranging musculoskeletal concerns like acute pain, chronic pain, nonsurgical injury rehabilitation, postsurgical injury rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Consumers highlighted the versatility of the device to address person-specific needs as a key feature in supporting its perceived therapeutic benefits. Additionally, consumers frequently commented on the affordability and availability of this device to increase accessibility to home-based care. Some critical reviews emphasized a concern for the quality of the device itself. However, this concern did not translate to the overall modality of percussive massage therapy. Of note, despite strong approval for its therapeutic potential, consumer reviews lacked evidence-based insights on appropriate usage.

Conclusions:Home-based percussive massage therapy holds value with its perceived efficacy in pain management for acute and chronic conditions, as well as in injury prevention and rehabilitation. As a low-cost and readily available device for everyday users and high-performing athletes, percussive massage therapy works toward establishing increased health care accessibility and optimizing health care usage. This home-based intervention can serve to reduce the significant personal and economic burden of prevalent musculoskeletal concerns. However, the limited scientific research on percussive massage therapy raises concerns about the lack of evidence-based care and indicates the need for future studies.

https://rehab.jmir.org/2024/1/e52328