Effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization at Different Muscle Lengths

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Muscle, Ligament and Fascia Disorders; Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Range of Motion; Pain
• Interventions: Other: Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

• Registration Number: NCT06603714
• Lead Sponsor: University of Primorska

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study will be to compare the effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization at different muscle lengths on pain pressure thresholds and measures of flexibility.

Detailed Description

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization is a widely used manual therapy technique, which aims at reducing pain and improving range of motion. Evidence regarding acute responses to instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization at different muscle lengths is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to conduct a cross-over trial and compare the acute effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization at short and long muscle lengths of the calf muscles on pain pressure thresholds and measures of flexibility.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-09
• Study First Submitted: 2024-09-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-09-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-09-16
• Study First Posted: 2024-09-19
• Last Update Posted: 2024-09-19
• Study Start: 2024-10-05
• Primary Completion: 2024-11-01
• Study Completion: 2024-11-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• without previous lower limb injuries in the last year
• healthy individuals
• students

Exclusion Criteria

• Patients with acute lower limb disorders e.g. open wounds, hematoma, trauma
• General hypermobility: Beighton score >4.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treated segment - stretched	Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization	Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization will be completed with the calf muscles in a shortened position (30° knee flexion and full ankle plantar flexion).
Treated segment - shortened	Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization	Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization will be completed with the calf muscles in a lengthened position (full knee extension and approximately 0° ankle dorsiflexion).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain pressure threshold	30 minutes	Pain pressure threshold will be measured via handheld algometer on the proximal third of the distance between medial condyle of the femur and lateral malleolus.
Passive dorsiflexion range of motion	30 minutes	Passive dorsiflexion will be measured via two wooden boards connected with a hinge. We will apply a standardized torque of 30,9 Nm via handheld dynamometer. Each visit, participants will be measured before and after the performed intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stand and reach test	30 minutes	With the help of a standardized measuring tool, participants will activelly bend as low as possible.
Lumbar spine flexibility	30 minutes	Sagittal profile of the spine will be measured measured via device: Idiag M360 (MediMouse, Idiag AG, Fehraltorf, Switzerland). End range of motion of the whole lumbar spine was recorded.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences; 🇸🇮 Izola, Primorska, Slovenia