Investigation of the Effect of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique on Fascia and Fat Tissue Thickness in Healthy Individuals.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Rehabilitation; Flexibility; Balance; Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Fascia; Strength
• Interventions: Other: Observational; Other: IASTM Technique Application

• Registration Number: NCT05502497
• Lead Sponsor: Inonu University

Brief Summary

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique can be used for non-pathological conditions as it has been shown in previous literature to affect flexibility and normal range of motion. The use of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique has been claimed to be an effective treatment in increasing tissue temperature, reducing adhesion to connective tissue and increasing collagen adaptation and increasing flexibility and normal range of motion. The instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique works on the facial connective tissue in the body. This connective tissue contains "sheaths of collagen, which form the cavities and muscle divisions that mainly cover the organs." In some studies, they stated that instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization increased perfusion, while in some studies they stated that instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization increased blood circulation.

The frequency of ultrasonography (USG) examinations for the musculoskeletal system has increased over time with technological developments and USG has entered daily use in the evaluation of various pathological conditions belonging to this system thanks to its comparable results with MR examinations. The unique advantages of USG such as low cost, easy availability, relatively short examination time, and dynamic real-time comparison with the contralateral side have made it easier to use for musculoskeletal examinations.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique on strength, flexibility, balance, fascia and adipose tissue thickness in healthy individuals.

Detailed Description

In the study, iASTM will be applied to healthy individuals and the effect of this technique will be examined. Demographic information of individuals will be recorded; Individuals will be evaluated in detail in terms of muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and fascia and adipose tissue thickness.

The work plan; pre-treatment evaluation, followed by treatment, second evaluation immediately after the end of treatment and control evaluation (third evaluation) 1 hour after the end of treatment. The data collection period is planned as 1,5 year.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-04-01
• Status Verified: 2022-08
• Study First Submitted: 2022-08-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-08-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-08-13
• Study First Posted: 2022-08-16
• Last Update Posted: 2022-08-16
• Primary Completion: 2022-09-01
• Study Completion: 2022-10-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 14

Inclusion Criteria

1. Consists of healthy individuals between the ages of 18-35,
2. No history of orthopedic injury (muscle, tendon, joint capsule, ligament damage or peripheral neuropathy) in the lower extremities in the last 1 year,
3. Being able to express himself without cognitive, cognitive and mental problems,
4. Voluntarily agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Injury to any lower extremity between measurements during the treatment process,
2. Having a BMI over 25,
3. Surgery or arthritis in the last 1 year,
4. Not being able or unwilling to do the tests,
5. Not wanting to leave of their own accord.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control Group	Observational	Which leg of the individuals will be treated will be determined by tossing a coin. After the toss, the right leg will be applied when the tail comes, and the left leg will be applied when it comes to the heads. The leg to be treated, the treatment group of the individuals; the other leg (the untreated leg) will form the control group of the individuals.
IASTM Treatment Group	IASTM Technique Application	Which leg of the individuals will be treated will be determined by tossing a coin. After the toss, the right leg will be applied when the tail comes, and the left leg will be applied when it comes to the heads. The leg to be treated, the treatment group of the individuals; the other leg (the untreated leg) will form the control group of the individuals.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fascia and Adipose Tissue Thickness Assessment	Control evaluation 1 hour after the end of treatment (third evaluation).	Ultrasound device will be used to measure the thickness of individuals' fascia and adipose tissue.
Flexibility Assessment	Control evaluation 1 hour after the end of treatment (third evaluation).	The sit-and-reach Test will be used to assess the flexibility of individuals.
Balance Assessment	Control evaluation 1 hour after the end of treatment (third evaluation).	Stork Balance Test will be used to evaluate the balance of individuals.
Leg Muscle Strength Assessment	Control evaluation 1 hour after the end of treatment (third evaluation).	The Vertical Jump Test will be used to evaluate the leg muscle strength of individuals.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Inonu University; 🇹🇷 Malatya, Turkey