Comparison of the Short- and Long-Term Effects of Static Stretching and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Flexibility, Performance, and Pressure Pain Threshold in Individuals With Hamstring Tightness: A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 46
- 主要终点
- Change in Knee Extension Range of Motion (Flexibility)
研究概览
简要总结
This study compares two treatments for people with tight hamstring muscles (the muscles at the back of the thigh): instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and static stretching. Both are commonly used by physical therapists to improve flexibility, but few studies have looked at their effects beyond a few days after treatment ends.
Forty-six adults with hamstring tightness will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive IASTM, and the other will receive static stretching. Both treatments will be given 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).
Researchers will measure flexibility (knee extension range of motion), pressure pain threshold, and physical performance (vertical jump and single-leg hop distance) at three time points: before treatment, 3 days after the last session, and 8 weeks after treatment ends. The goal is to find out which treatment provides better short-term and longer-term benefits.
详细描述
Hamstring muscle tightness is a common musculoskeletal condition that can limit hip and knee range of motion, reduce athletic and functional performance, and contribute to other conditions such as patellofemoral pain, patellar tendinopathy, and low back pain. Static stretching has long been used to address hamstring tightness, with systematic reviews suggesting that 6-8 weeks of regular stretching can produce lasting flexibility gains. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has more recently emerged as an alternative technique, with proposed mechanisms including controlled microtrauma that stimulates an inflammatory response and collagen remodeling in soft tissue.
Most existing studies comparing static stretching and IASTM for hamstring tightness have examined only single-session or short-term (immediate post-treatment) effects. Long-term follow-up data (≥8 weeks) are limited, making it difficult to determine whether treatment-related gains in flexibility, pain sensitivity, and functional performance are sustained over time.
This randomized controlled trial will enroll 46 participants with hamstring tightness, defined as hip flexion range of motion <65° on the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test with no neurological signs. Participants will be randomly allocated (computer-generated randomization) to one of two equal groups (n=23 each):
Group 1 (IASTM): Participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied to the hamstring muscle group using a stainless-steel instrument, scanning technique, distal-to-proximal direction, for 5 minutes per session.
Group 2 (Static Stretching): Participants will receive manual static stretching of the hamstring muscle group, performed in 5 repetitions of 30 seconds of stretch followed by 30 seconds of rest (5 minutes total per session).
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Age 18 years or older
- •Hamstring tightness, defined as hip flexion range of motion <65° on the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test, without neurological signs
- •No diagnosed chronic musculoskeletal or systemic disease
- •Signed informed consent form
排除标准
- •Previous trauma or surgical operation involving the lower extremity
- •Neurological symptoms radiating to one or both lower extremities due to hamstring injury, spinal pathology, or sciatic nerve involvement
- •Ankle instability
- •Pregnancy
- •Neurological signs elicited during the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test
- •Hyperalgesia, hematoma, varicose veins, or active skin infection in the lower extremity
研究组 & 干预措施
IASTM
Participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the hamstring muscle group using a stainless-steel instrument in a scanning technique, distal-to-proximal direction, for 5 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).
干预措施: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (Other)
Static Stretching
Participants will receive manual static stretching of the hamstring muscle group, performed in 5 repetitions of 30 seconds of stretch followed by 30 seconds of rest (5 minutes total per session), 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total).
干预措施: Static Stretching (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Knee Extension Range of Motion (Flexibility)
时间窗: Baseline, 3 days after final session (short-term), and 8 weeks after intervention completion (long-term)
Knee extension range of motion during 90° hip flexion, measured with a digital inclinometer, as an indicator of hamstring flexibility.
次要结局
未报告次要终点
研究者
GÖKHAN MARAŞ
Selcuk University
Gazi University