Massage changes brain activity, new study shows
NCT ID NCT07190313
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study compares the effects of Swedish massage versus light touch on brain activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and mood in 30 healthy adults. Participants are randomly assigned to one session of either massage or light touch, and undergo brain scans before and after. The goal is to understand how touch therapies influence the brain and body.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Swedish massage therapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help explain how massage affects the brain and body, potentially guiding future therapies for stress or pain.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study in healthy people, so results may not apply to those with medical conditions. It only looks at short-term effects.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Huntsman Mental Health Institute
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States