title: Biomechanical analysis of the circular friction hand massage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A massage can be beneficial to relieve muscle tension on the neck and shoulder area. Various massage systems have been developed, but their motions are not uniform throughout different body parts nor specifically targeted to the neck and shoulder areas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Pressure pattern and finger movement trajectories of the circular friction hand massage on trapezius, levator scapulae, and deltoid muscles were determined to develop a massage system that can mimic the motion and the pressure of the circular friction massage.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the massage, finger movement trajectories were measured using a 3D motion capture system, and finger pressures were simultaneously obtained using a grip pressure sensor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that each muscle had different finger movement trajectory and pressure pattern. The trapezius muscle experienced a higher pressure, longer massage time (duration of pressurization), and larger pressure-time integral than the other muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results could be useful to design a better massage system simulating human finger movements.
authors.forename: Jeseong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jongsang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Soonjae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Isu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Youngho
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017276:Friction / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Circular friction hand massage; finger pressure; motion analysis