Massage by mom and dad: new study tests ancient remedy for Kids' tummy troubles
NCT ID NCT07369687
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tests whether parents can learn pediatric tuina, a traditional Chinese massage technique, to ease symptoms of functional dyspepsia in children aged 3-7. Fifty parent-child pairs will be split into two groups: one where parents give tuina at home plus routine care, and another with routine care alone. The goal is to see if the massage is feasible and acceptable, and whether it improves stomach symptoms, eating, sleep, and quality of life over 8 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- pediatric tuina (a type of Chinese massage for children)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a safe, drug-free way for parents to help manage their child's chronic stomach discomfort at home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study (50 children) testing feasibility, not effectiveness. The results may not apply to all children, and the benefit over routine care is uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Expected to finish
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May 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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3 to 7 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion criteria for the children are the following: 1. age 3-7 years, which represents the optimal period for both pediatric tuina effectiveness and TCM syndrome differentiation for PFD intervention. 2. documented PFD diagnosis based on ROME IV criteria. * Inclusion criteria for the parents are the following: 1. ability to communicate in Cantonese or Mandarin. 2. willingness to learn and practice intervention techniques 3. availability to attend training sessions at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 4. signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Exclusion criteria for the children are the following: 1. current receipt of tuina or massage treatments. 2. concurrent acute infectious diseases (scarlet fever, chickenpox), hemorrhagic diseases, skin conditions (burns, severe skin lesions, infections), or severe conditions contraindicated for pediatric tuina (fractures, paraplegia). * Exclusion criteria for the parents are the following: 1. severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depression) or physical conditions hindering intervention delivery. 2. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \<22 points.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, 000000, China