Can a neck massage help your brain heal after a concussion?

NCT ID NCT05129514

Terminated Symptom relief Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether a special hand massage technique, called manual lymphatic drainage, could help clear fluid from the brain in people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Only 2 people took part, and the study was stopped early. Researchers measured changes in brain drainage and thinking skills over 5 days of daily massage sessions.

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 (MLD)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free therapy to help clear fluid from the brain and improve thinking after a head injury.
What could go wrong: This was a tiny feasibility study with only 2 participants and was terminated early, so results are very limited. It is unclear if the therapy truly helps or is safe for wider use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for NEUROINFLAMMATION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic brain injury Neuroinflammatory Diseases neuronitis traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NEUROINFLAMMATION TRAUMA, BRAIN

Contacts and locations

Show contact details

Locations

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.