Effect of massotherapy on the fatigue recovery using the smart massage chair: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study was envisaged to scientifically analyze the efficacy of the massage chair in reducing the fatigue using the heart rate variability (HRV) and fatigue self-assessment scale (FSAS) in a randomized clinical trial. Methods: 240 fatigue volunteers were divided into the massage chair intervention group and the control group using a completely randomized method. The kneading, pressing, tapping, and flapping techniques in the smart massage chair were used to intervene on the volunteers. The FSAS, HRV, and blood oxygen saturation changes were observed before and after the intervention, and the effect of massage in the smart massage chair to relieve fatigue was explored. Results: The overall exhaustion, mental fatigue, and physical fatigue scores of the FSAS were statistically significant (P < 0.05) before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the overall fatigue, mental fatigue, and physical fatigue scores of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The HRVhf, HRVlf, and HRVlf/hf in HRV before and after the intervention between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the HRVhf values of the two groups were significantly increased after the intervention. The HRVlf value was significantly reduced, and the HRVlf value of the control group was increased. After the intervention, the HRVlf/hf value of the experimental group was significantly reduced, and the HRVlf/hf value of the control group increased. There were no significant differences in the HR and SpO(2) values (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The massaging approach of the smart massage chair significantly reduced the tiredness scale score of the volunteers, reduced the sympathetic nerve excitability, and increased parasympathetic nerve excitability. The results indicate that the smart massage chair can be used as an effective method for short-term fatigue recovery.