Can a simple massage help septic shock patients heal faster?

NCT ID NCT05874895

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital Ostrava Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tested whether manual lymphatic drainage, a gentle massage technique, is safe and feasible for patients recovering from septic shock. Researchers enrolled 24 adults in the ICU and compared those who received the massage plus usual care to those who received usual care alone. The goal was to see if the massage could help reduce organ failure and improve recovery without causing harm.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Manual lymphatic drainage (a gentle massage technique to move lymph fluid)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, non-drug way to help patients recover faster from septic shock and reduce organ failure.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 24 patients, so results are preliminary. The procedure may not improve outcomes or could interfere with standard care.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

infectious disease with sepsis inflammatory disease multiple organ dysfunction syndrome Sepsis toxic shock syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE MULTIORGAN FAILURE SEPSIS SEPTIC SHOCK

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospital Ostrava

Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, 708 52, Czechia

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