From the Guidelines
The Hypervolt handheld percussion massage device is not supported by high-quality evidence as an effective long-term therapeutic solution for musculoskeletal injuries or pain management, despite its potential for short-term relief. The most recent and highest quality study, a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians published in 2020 1, focuses on nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management of acute pain from non-low back, musculoskeletal injuries in adults. While this study does mention massage therapy as a nonpharmacologic treatment that can reduce pain at less than 2 hours with moderate-certainty evidence, it does not specifically address the long-term effectiveness of handheld percussion massage devices like the Hypervolt.
Key Points to Consider
- The study 1 included a network meta-analysis of 207 trials with 32,959 patients, showing that massage therapy can reduce pain in the short term.
- However, the evidence for long-term benefits of massage therapy or similar interventions like the Hypervolt is limited and not specifically addressed in the guideline.
- The physiological mechanisms behind percussion therapy, such as temporary increases in blood flow and reduction in muscle stiffness, do not necessarily translate to lasting structural changes or healing.
- For long-term musculoskeletal health, it is essential to complement any therapy, including the use of devices like the Hypervolt, with proper warm-up, stretching, adequate rest, and addressing underlying movement issues.
Recommendations for Use
- If considering the Hypervolt for therapeutic purposes, use it as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, established practices for musculoskeletal health.
- Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for use, typically 2-3 minutes per muscle group at a comfortable intensity.
- Be aware that subjective benefits reported by users, such as improved recovery and reduced soreness, are typically temporary and may not reflect long-term therapeutic effects.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Hypervolt for Therapeutic Purposes
- The Hypervolt, a handheld percussion massage device, has been studied for its effectiveness in therapeutic purposes, including recovery and muscle function restoration 2, 3, 4.
- Research suggests that massage guns, including the Hypervolt, can be effective in improving short-term range of motion, flexibility, and recovery-related outcomes 2, 4.
- However, their use in strength, balance, acceleration, agility, and explosive activities is not recommended, as they may not have improvements or even show a decrease in performance 2.
- A study using the Hypervolt device found that it increased maximum dorsiflexion range of motion by 5.4° (+18.4%) after a 5-min massage treatment, but had no effect on muscle strength 4.
Long-Term Effects of Hypervolt
- There is limited research on the long-term effects of the Hypervolt for therapeutic purposes 5, 6.
- A study on manual massage found that it was not an effective treatment modality for enhancing long-term restoration of post-exercise muscle strength 5.
- Another study reviewed the current scientific evidence on the use of manual massage to affect muscle damage, retention and recovery of muscle strength and performance, and reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness, and found that manual massage does not appear to have a demonstrated effect on these outcomes 6.
- The long-term effects of the Hypervolt specifically are not well-studied, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness for therapeutic purposes over an extended period 2, 3.