Children who experience fractures may develop stiffness and limited range of motion in their affected joints, notably the elbow. Although conventional rehabilitation approaches have demonstrated some effectiveness, innovative methods like Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Dynamic Cupping hold promise for enhancing outcomes. These techniques represent emerging therapies aimed at improving range of motion and function across different musculoskeletal conditions. However, there is a lack of comparative research examining their efficacy specifically in pediatric patients with post-fracture elbow stiffness
This will be a randomized clinical trial conducted on 28 participants. Data will be collected from Khatoon e Jannat hospital, Mujahid hospital and children hospital of Faisalabad. The study includes children aged 6 to 15, both genders, experiencing elbow postoperative stiffness and with a loss of extension of at least -30 degrees and/or flexion of no more than 120 degrees. Participants excluded from the study are those who declined consent, had pathological fractures, and associated ipsilateral injuries, bilateral upper extremity injuries, neuro-vascular disorders, heterotrophic ossification, or contraindications for IASTM. A sample of 28 will be divided in to two groups. Each group will consist of 14 participants. Group A will receive instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. On the contrary group B will receive dynamic cupping therapy. Both groups will be given conventional therapy along with prescribed intervention. Intervention will be given for 30 minutes for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Data will be collected before and after the intervention to assess range of motion and function with a help of goniometer and Disability arm shoulder and hand questionnaire. Data will be analyzed by using SPSS version 26.0
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
28
Group A received IASTM treatment, which will be given by the "Edge tool", that is an ergonomically designed stainless steel instrument and offers several different hand holds, eliminating operator fatigue. Prior to the treatment, the IASTM therapeutic effects will be explained. The scanning assessment will be done to identify areas of restrictions directed by the gritty sensations using the Edge tool. Each restriction will be treated with the tool for 30-60 sec and given. This treatment will be given for 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks
On the contrary, group B the patient will be seated in a chair with the elbow flexed on the plinth to relax the forearm muscles. The area around the elbow joint will be cleaned with alcohol to remove any foreign bodies from the treated area. Dynamic cupping therapy for elbow stiffness will begin with an assessment of the patient\'s condition, where factors such as the extent of stiffness and range of motion in the elbow joint will be evaluated. Following this assessment, lubricant will be applied to the skin surrounding the elbow to facilitate smooth movement of the cups. Cups of suitable size and material will then be strategically placed around the elbow joint, and suction will be created inside each cup to create a vacuum effect. Once thesecurely attached, the practitioner will move them around the elbow area using gentle techniques such as gliding or pumping motions.
Riphah International University Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Function was assessed by the Disability of arm shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) (Reliability- ICC- 0.96; validity- 0.70), which is a 30-item patient-reported questionnaire, which can rate difficulty and interference with function on a 5-point Likert scale used to evaluate impairments, activity limitations, as well as participation restrictions in both leisure activities and work due to elbow dysfunction, regardless of which arm is affected. The scores for all items are then summed up to a scale score, where higher scores indicate higher disability
Time frame: 6 weeks
Goniometer Measurement for Range of motion
Universal goniometer is a device which is used to measure the range of motion of the joint. It has both art and science of measuring joint plane by 2 form. It has short and long arm. It has 3 parts Center part is known as fulcrum or axis with two arms. One is moving arm and the other is stationary or fixed arm. ROM of the elbow joint and forearm was measured using the universal half goniometer (Reliability-ICC-0.53-0.97.) Positions used to measure elbow flexion-extension were in supine position, whereas the forearm pronation-supination was done in sitting position .
Time frame: 6 weeks
Numeric Pain rating Scale
Numeric pain rating scale is a subjective measure 11 point numerical scale which is used to measure pain. Is scoring range In this scale 0 shows no pain and 10 shows worst pain imaginable. It has good reliability of 0.79 and validity of 0.96. (26)
Time frame: 6 weeks
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