To investigate the effect of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique on pain, joint range of motion, functionality and quality of life in patients with lumbar disc herniation.
This is ...a double blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 60 patients were randomly allocated to either an experimental group n = 30, age = 46.33 ± 12.96 years or a control group n = 30, age = 57.03 ± 9.64 years. The experimental group received instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization 3 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks in addition to conventional physiotherapy five days a week for 4 weeks. The control group only received the conventional physiotherapy five days a week for 4 weeks. Pain intensity, range of motion of the lumbar spine (flexion, extension, lateral flexion), functional disability related to low back pain and quality of life were assessed at the beginning and end of the study.
The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the range of motion in lumbar area (flexion, extension and lateral flexion values) compared to that shown in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean differences in Oswestry disability index were significantly better in experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of pain and quality of life (p > 0.05).
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, in addition to conservative treatment, can improve range of motion in lumbar area and reduce functional disability in patients with Lumbar Region Disc Herniations.
Presence of pes planus is known to effect balance. In this study, it was aimed to examine the immediate effects of IASTM and PMT on static and dynamic balance in young adults with pes planus.
The ...navicular drop test was used to diagnose pes planus. 51 individuals were included in the study and divided into three groups IASTM (n:15), percussive massage (n:18) and control (n:18) groups by simple randomization. Flamingo and Y Balance test was assessed before and immediately after intervention. Repeated Measures ANOVA test was used for the intergroup comparison, and the One-Way ANOVA test was used for the intragroup comparison, also post-hoc test with Tukey correction was performed.
There was no significant difference in static balance between the three groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in dynamic balance between groups (p < 0.05). Only IASTM group had significant differences at before and after intervention of all directions except for posterolateral direction of Y Balance Test (p < 0.05).
IASTM applied to the plantar fascia of individuals with pes planus have immediate effects on dynamic balance when compared to no intervention and percussive massage even within a small sample size.
•The application of soft tissue mobilization, using IASTM, results in an immediate improvement in dynamic balance among young adults diagnosed with pes planus.•In contrast, the application of the percussive massage technique to the plantar fascia does not yield an immediate impact on the balance of young adults with pes planus.•When compared to no application, IASTM and percussive massage technique applied to the plantar fascia demonstrate an immediate enhancement in static balance among young adults diagnosed with pes planus.
Background:
Shoulder range of motion (ROM) deficits have been identified as injury risk factors among baseball athletes. Despite the knowledge surrounding these risk factors, there is a lack of ...consensus regarding the specific tissues responsible for these deficits in ROM.
Purpose/Hypothesis:
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the primary mechanisms of posterior shoulder tightness (capsular, musculotendinous, bony) by examining the tissue responses that occur with the application of an acute intervention in baseball players with ROM deficits. The hypothesis was that posterior rotator cuff stiffness, not glenohumeral joint mobility, would be primarily responsible for ROM gains observed within an acute treatment setting.
Study Design:
Controlled laboratory study.
Methods:
Through use of ultrasound elastography, electromagnetic motion analysis, and ultrasound imaging, posterior rotator cuff stiffness, glenohumeral joint translation, and humeral torsion were examined in 60 asymptomatic baseball players (age, mean ± SD, 19 ± 2 years) with shoulder ROM deficits. Tissue mechanisms were examined concurrently, with the ROM gains elicited by an acute application of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization plus self-stretching (n = 30) versus self-stretching only (n = 30). Separate 3-way analyses of variance (group × arm × time) and linear regression analyses were used to determine the treatment effects and relationships between tissue mechanisms and ROM gains.
Results:
ROM gains were associated with decreases in rotator cuff stiffness (internal rotation: r = 0.35, P = .034; horizontal adduction: r = 0.44, P = .008) and increased humeral retrotorsion (internal rotation: r = −0.35, P = .034), not joint translation (P > .05). Players receiving instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization plus stretching displayed greater shoulder ROM gains (internal rotation, +5° ± 2° P = .010; total arc of motion, +8° ± 6° P = .010; horizontal adduction, +7° ± 2° P = .004; and decreased posterior rotator cuff stiffness, −0.2 ± 0.3 kPa P = .050) compared with players receiving self-stretching alone.
Conclusion:
Decreases in rotator cuff stiffness were associated with acute ROM gains in baseball players. The study results show that changes in rotator cuff stiffness, not glenohumeral joint mobility or humeral torsion, are most likely associated with the ROM deficits observed in adolescent baseball players.
Clinical Relevance:
Reducing rotator cuff stiffness may be beneficial in improving the ROM deficits associated with injury risk in overhead athletes.
Purpose This study aimed to examine the thermal skin responses (thermal buildup and retention rate) to instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) procedures applied on hamstrings at ...different angles. Participants and Methods Thirty university students (age: 20 ± 4 years, weight: 70.61 ± 9.11 kg, height: 168.5 ± 7.5 cm) received three sessions of 10-min Ergon® IASTM treatment on their dominant limbs’ hamstrings at 20°, 60°, and 90° application angles, respectively. The skin temperature was measured with a thermometer immediately before and after treatment, and every minute thereafter until it returned to the baseline value. Results IASTM resulted in a significant increase in skin temperature irrespective of the application angle. The thermal retention rate produced by the treatment at a 90° angle was significantly higher than that produced by the 20° application angle (78.9 vs. 64.53 min). No significant differences were observed between the 60° and 90° angle applications (72.5 vs. 78.9 min). Conclusion IASTM application at 60° and 90° angles can increase and retain the hamstring’s skin temperature for more than an hour, creating the conditions for potential positive adaptations to local metabolism and muscle tone.
To evaluate the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) on range of motion (ROM).
We performed a literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane ...Library databases from inception to December 23, 2023. Randomized controlled trials that compared treatment groups receiving IASTM to controls or IASTM plus another treatment(s) to other treatment(s) among healthy individuals with or without ROM deficits, or patients with musculoskeletal disorders were included. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias.
Nine trials including 450 participants were included in the quantitative analysis. The IASTM was effective in improving ROM in degree in healthy individuals with ROM deficits and patients with musculoskeletal disorders (n=4) (MD = 4.94, 95% CI: 3.29 to 6.60), and in healthy individuals without ROM deficits (n=4) (MD = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.30 to 3.34), but failed to improve ROM in centimeter in healthy individuals with ROM deficits (n=1) (MD = 0.39, 95% CI: -1.34 to 2.11, p=0.66, I
= 88%).
IASTM can improve ROM in degree in healthy individuals with or without ROM deficits, or in patients with musculoskeletal disorders (with very low to low certainty).
The PROSPERO registration ID is CRD42023425200.
Abstract
Background
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a prevalent sports injury that affects athletes both in their daily lives and during training. This condition causes pain in the area where the ...kneecap and thigh bone meet, and it can be quite debilitating. Whether an athlete is simply going about their day or pushing themselves to the limit during a workout, patellofemoral pain can be a significant hindrance.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of combining Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) treatment with blood flow restriction training on individuals with patellofemoral pain. Specifically, the study will assess improvements in pain levels, functional ability, strength, and joint mobility resulting from this treatment approach.
Methods
Twenty-six patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain were selected as observation subjects and randomly divided into two groups: the IASTM combined with blood flow restriction training treatment group (
n
= 13) and the IASTM treatment group alone (
n
= 13). The treatment period was 4 weeks. In this study, we conducted a comparison and analysis of the knee’s visual analogue pain scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and a modified version of the Thomas test (MTT) at three different time points.In this subject paper, we compared and analyzed the VAS score of the knee, Lysholm score of the knee, and MTT at three different time points—before treatment, immediately after the first treatment, and after four weeks of treatment. Additionally, we recorded data using a maximum isometric muscle strength testing system for the lower extremity extensors four weeks before and after treatment.
Results
In comparing the Lysholm scores within the groups, a significant difference was observed between the two groups following the initial treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment (
p
< 0.05). The scores increased, indicating a significant improvement in function. The VAS scores significantly differed after the first treatment and 4 weeks of treatment compared to before treatment (
p
< 0.05), indicating a significant improvement in pain. Additionally, after 4 weeks of treatment, the strength of the extensor muscle in the lower extremity significantly improved (
p
< 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the strength test between the groups (
p
> 0.05). The MTT test revealed significant changes in the three joint angles before and after treatment (
p
> 0.05), suggesting an improvement in joint mobility. Overall, these results demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment in improving pain and muscle strength in the lower extremity.
Conclusion
The combination of IASTM treatment and blood flow restriction has been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve periprosthetic soft tissue flexibility. Additionally, IASTM treatment alone was found to be more effective in improving knee pain and muscle flexibility, ultimately leading to increased knee strength in a pain-free state. In terms of the overall treatment outcome, it was found that the combined treatment was significantly more effective than the adjuvant soft tissue release treatment alone.
The use of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has been documented to be effective for improving pain and function, but it is unclear whether it helps improve muscle performance in ...musculoskeletal diseases. This study investigated the effects of IASTM combined with exercise therapy on muscle endurance and pain intensity in patients with chronic neck pain.
Forty-eight individuals with chronic neck pain were randomly divided into exercise therapy (ET, n = 24) and combined therapy (CT, n = 24) groups. For 4 weeks, each group underwent exercise therapy 3 days a week for a total of 12 sessions. The ET group received exercise therapy only. The CT group received IASTM combined with exercise therapy twice per week for a total of 8 sessions. The muscle endurance of the participants was assessed with the Deep Neck Flexor Muscle Endurance (DNFE) test and pain intensity with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and post-treatment.
While both groups showed significant improvement in pain intensity (p < 0.05), the CT group showed a greater effect size for pain (CT group: Cohen's d = 3.28; ET group: Cohen's d = 2.12). The CT group showed significant improvement for muscle endurance (p < 0.05), whereas the ET group did not (p > 0.05).
In the current study, the IASTM intervention combined with ET improved pain and muscular endurance in participants with chronic neck pain compared to exercise therapy alone. As an alternative method, IASTM intervention before exercise seems to increase the short-term recovery effect in chronic neck pain conditions.
Context
:
Soft tissue restrictions have been linked to poor flexibility and decreased range of motion (ROM). To decrease the soft tissue restrictions and ultimately increase ROM/flexibility, ...myofascial release techniques, such as foam rolling (FR) and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), have been used. However, the benefit regarding which technique is more beneficial remains unknown.
Objective
:
To examine the effects of myofascial release techniques (FR vs the instrumented portion of IASTM) on knee joint ROM, rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) fascial displacement, and patient satisfaction.
Design
:
Randomized controlled clinical trial.
Setting
:
Mid-Atlantic University.
Participants
:
Twenty moderately active participants (age 21.1 2.0 y) with variable levels of soft tissue restriction in the quadriceps and hamstrings started and completed the study. Participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups, FR or IASTM.
Interventions
:
All participants completed the same warm-up prior to the intervention. The FR group followed the proper FR protocol for gluteals/iliotibial band, quadriceps, and hamstrings/adductors, and the participants were monitored while the protocol was completed. The IASTM group received treatment on the gluteals/iliotibial band followed by the quadriceps, adductors, and hamstrings. Participants in both groups attended intervention sessions twice per week for 3 weeks. Prior to the start, knee ROM measurements were taken, along with fascial displacement measured via ultrasound. Upon completion of the study, posttest measurements were completed. A patient satisfaction survey was also administered at this time.
Main Outcome Measures
:
Pretest to posttest knee ROM measurements, RF and BF fascial displacement, and patient satisfaction.
Results
:
Both groups improved pretest to posttest for knee-extension ROM, with a slight trend toward increased knee-extension ROM for the FR group. Both groups improved pretest to posttest for BF and RF fascial displacement, in favor of the IASTM group for BF fascial displacement. Both groups were equally satisfied.
Conclusions
:
As both groups improved pretest to posttest, either treatment could be used.
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