Some users said they just use them on the lowest setting, he says. In talking with some current massage gun users, Ritchey learned that some of these devices can generate more force than the average person may need or want. While the most expensive device we tested comes with an OLED display, which adds a certain “coolness factor,” according to Ritchey, that doesn’t really improve the usability of the device in any substantive way, he says. When it comes to ease of use, all of the devices we evaluated scored relatively well, though some had better instructions or more straightforward designs. Lighter devices tend to score better on handle and posture ergonomic measures because they can be more comfortable and easier to hold during use. “I wouldn’t get a percussive massager if I was trying to mainly get my upper and middle back areas by myself,” Ritchey says. Still, because it’s hard to reach around and hold a device behind you, most people would have a hard time reaching these target areas without help. The more adjustable and longer devices were overall better at reaching the upper and middle back. An adjustable arm also reduces postural stress. We also evaluated how loud these devices were in comparison with one another because according to Ritchey, users frequently note that these devices can be quite loud.įrom an ergonomic perspective, we found grips shaped like a triangle were the easiest to hold in a variety of positions, making it easier to reach various body parts without undue stress. Our ease of use measures are meant to assess various aspects of the user experience, including how easy it is to control the device, check battery life, change attachments, and to understand the instructions provided with each device. Device weight also factors into handle ergonomics-it can be harder to grip or manipulate a heavier device, especially for people with limited grip, arm, or shoulder strength and mobility. This assesses how comfortable and easy it is to grip the device’s handle during use. We also examined the handle on each device, comparing it to an ergonomic checklist used to evaluate hand tools. Devices that scored better on our postural stress measurement made it easier to reach target areas without needing to bend or flex the wrist or arm in an uncomfortable way, with a neutral posture-which puts the least amount of stress on the body-receiving the best score. Two study participants were photographed while using each device to try to reach the 10 target areas. “These are supposed to make you feel better, so we thought it would be interesting to see whether you were adding stress to your body while using them,” Ritchey says. This study was used to generate a list of 10 body areas users might target with a massage device, so we could see-using a standard ergonomic assessment-how well devices could reach certain areas, and assess whether or not trying to use the devices would stress the body in an uncomfortable way. To inform our expert evaluation, CR first conducted an online study of 34 massage gun users to understand which body parts users target with these devices, and to gather relevant impressions of certain devices. Research on their overall efficacy is limited, but experts have told CR that when used safely, they may help alleviate muscle pain.
People use percussive massagers to help relieve pain, release tension, increase range of motion, and more. Notably, this evaluation was not meant to measure whether or not these devices are effective in a therapeutic sense.
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