The Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Skinfold Thickness, Shortness, and Functional Muscle Strength in Sedentary Individuals With Hamstring Tightness
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 51
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Hamstring Muscle Tightness
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The aim of this study will be to investigate and compare the effects of static stretching exercise, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), and functional IASTM techniques on hamstring muscle shortness, pain threshold, skinfold thickness, and functional muscle strength in sedentary individuals. Fifty-one sedentary individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 who meet the inclusion criteria of Cyprus International University will be included in the study. The first group will receive static stretching exercises two days a week for four weeks; the second group will receive the IASTM technique two days a week for four weeks; and the third group will receive the functional IASTM technique, which will be applied with passive movements two days a week for four weeks. Hamstring shortness, pain threshold, skinfold thickness, and functional muscle strength will be evaluated before the treatment (BT), immediately after the treatment (AT1), two weeks after the treatment (AT2), and four weeks after the treatment (AT4).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
The same physiotherapist will be administered all IASTM, functional IASTM, and static stretching interventions, while assessments will be conducted by another physiotherapist who will be blinded to the treatment.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Sedentary individuals aged 18 to 45
- •Who worked at a desk for extended periods
- •Who exhibited hamstring muscle tightness of more than 10 degrees
Exclusion Criteria
- •Diagnosed orthopaedic or neurological disorder
- •a history of lower limb surgery
- •The presence of scoliosis
- •Tightness in the gastrocnemius muscle
- •Participants who did not consistently attend the intervention programme (i.e., those who missed two or more sessions out of the 12 sessions)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Hamstring Muscle Tightness
Time Frame: 4 weeks
Hamstring tightness will be assessed using the PostureScreen Mobile application, a validated tool for photographic posture and joint angle analysis. Participants will lie supine on a treatment table with the non-test leg stabilized using a strap. The test leg will be positioned with both the hip and knee at 90° flexion, adjusted with a stool and pillow as needed. The anatomical landmarks-the greater trochanter, lateral femoral condyle, and lateral malleolus-will be marked on the test leg. While the participant wears minimal clothing, a lateral photograph will be taken from 1.5 metres using a tripod-mounted smartphone. Participants will be instructed to extend their knee as much as possible with their ankle dorsiflexed. The application will calculate the knee extension angle from the marked points, and the range of motion will be recorded in degrees. The test will be repeated if compensatory movements are observed.
Hamstring Skinfold Thickness
Time Frame: 4 weeks
The site will be marked at the midpoint of the posterior thigh, halfway between the ischial tuberosity and the popliteal region. The skinfold will be grasped 1 cm from the marked point using the thumb and index finger, maintaining consistent pressure throughout the measurement. Skinfold thickness will be measured with a skinfold calliper (Holtain Ltd, Crymych, UK). The reading will be taken 3-4 seconds after applying the calliper and then recorded. At least two measurements will be taken with a one-minute interval between them. Results will be recorded in millimetres (mm).
Secondary Outcomes
- Pain Threshold(4 weeks)
- Functional Muscle Strength(4 weeks)
Investigators
Mehmet Miçooğulları
Asst. Prof.
Cyprus International University