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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
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.
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.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Number of patients enrolled
Feasibility will be determined by the total number of patients screened in order to accrue the 40 needed to complete the study.
Time frame: baseline to end of study (year 2)
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