Article, Research and development of an automated massage device to support the treatment of shoulder and neck pain in Vietnam
Research and development of an automated massage device to support the treatment of shoulder and neck pain in Vietnam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65273/hhit.jna.2026.2.1.032Keywords:
Automated massage, Shoulder and neck pain, Acupoints, Wearable device, IoT-enabled rehabilitationAbstract
According to traditional medicine, various non-pharmacological approaches such as acupressure, acupuncture, and physiotherapy have been employed to treat shoulder and neck pain. Massage techniques involving pressing, kneading, rubbing, and rolling on acupoints, or with specialized tools, are known to enhance blood circulation, unblock meridians, and relieve pain. In Vietnam, most automated massage devices are imported and primarily designed for large body areas, with limited devices tailored for acupoint massage of the shoulder and neck. This study presents the research, design, and development of a fully automated massage device based on a direct-drive mechanism and a control system that simulates traditional acupoint massage techniques. The prototype was tested on volunteers with different body sizes. The device achieved precise thermal stability (±0.5 °C) and significantly improved its VAS index (from 7.2 down to 3.4) after one week of testing. The system boasts a flexible architecture, allowing for the direct integration of nanosensors (Graphene/CNTs) to establish real-time force feedback loops, paving the way for next-generation smart healthcare applications.
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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request
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Copyright (c) 2026 Duong Trong Luong, Le Phuc Hai, Pham Tuan Phong, Vo Phi Thuc, Umut Saraç (Author)
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