This randomized controlled trial will investigate the immediate effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) performed with two different commercially available tools on posterior lower-leg tissue stiffness and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in healthy young adults. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three parallel groups: IASTM using a higher-cost tool, IASTM using a lower-cost tool, or passive rest without IASTM. Tissue stiffness at predefined posterior lower-leg sites and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be assessed before and immediately after the intervention or equivalent rest period. A single lower limb will be assessed in each participant. Participants receiving IASTM will additionally rate the pleasantness of the intervention and their perceived relaxation after the intervention. The study will determine whether IASTM produces immediate changes in tissue stiffness and ankle dorsiflexion compared with passive rest and whether these effects differ between the two IASTM tools.
Healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years will be randomly allocated to one of three parallel groups: higher-cost IASTM, lower-cost IASTM, or passive control. Only one lower limb will be assessed in each participant; the contralateral limb will not serve as a control. Before and immediately after the intervention or control period, tissue stiffness will be assessed using MyotonPRO (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia) at four predefined locations: the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, and Achilles tendon. Gastrocnemius measurement locations will be identified at one-third of the respective anatomical reference distances described in the protocol. The soleus measurement will be performed medially at one-third of the distance from the medial malleolus toward the medial femoral condyle. The Achilles tendon will be assessed 2 cm proximal to the calcaneus. Two consecutive measurements will be obtained at each site at each assessment, and their mean will be used for analysis. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be assessed using a digital inclinometer positioned on the lateral aspect of the lower leg during a weight-bearing lunge performed while maintaining the assessed knee extended and the heel in contact with the floor. Participants in either IASTM group will receive a six-minute standardized treatment of the posterior lower-leg region. The first minute will consist of familiarization with the instrument, desensitization, and application of IASTM cream. This will be followed by five minutes of treatment using long gliding strokes along the direction of the muscle fibers, with the instrument held at approximately a 45-degree angle. Treatment intensity will be adjusted to produce slight pain or moderate discomfort. The treatment protocol will be identical between IASTM groups except for the tool used. Participants allocated to the control group will rest passively for an equivalent six-minute period without receiving IASTM. Participants receiving IASTM will rate intervention pleasantness and perceived relaxation immediately after treatment using 0-to-10 numerical rating scales.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
A six-minute standardized IASTM intervention applied to the posterior lower-leg region using a higher-cost IASTM tool. The first minute consists of familiarization, desensitization, and application of IASTM cream, followed by five minutes of long gliding strokes along the direction of the muscle fibers. The instrument is held at approximately 45 degrees and treatment intensity is adjusted to slight pain or moderate discomfort.
The same six-minute standardized IASTM intervention as in the higher-cost tool condition, performed using a lower-cost IASTM tool. Treatment duration, treated region, stroke direction, instrument angle, and target intensity are standardized between the two IASTM interventions.
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola
Izola, Urban Municipality of Koper, Slovenia
Change From Baseline in Medial Gastrocnemius Stiffness
Tissue stiffness will be measured using MyotonPRO and expressed in N/m. Two consecutive measurements will be obtained at each assessment and averaged.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-minute intervention or rest period
Change From Baseline in Lateral Gastrocnemius Stiffness
Tissue stiffness will be measured using MyotonPRO and expressed in N/m. Two consecutive measurements will be obtained at each assessment and averaged.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-minute intervention or rest period
Change From Baseline in Soleus Stiffness
Tissue stiffness will be measured using MyotonPRO and expressed in N/m. The measurement site will be located medially at one-third of the distance from the medial malleolus toward the medial femoral condyle. Two consecutive measurements will be obtained and averaged.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-minute intervention or rest period
Change From Baseline in Achilles Tendon Stiffness
Achilles tendon stiffness will be measured using MyotonPRO and expressed in N/m at a predefined site 2 cm proximal to the calcaneus. Two consecutive measurements will be obtained and averaged.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-minute intervention or rest period
Change From Baseline in Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be measured in degrees using a digital inclinometer positioned on the lateral aspect of the lower leg during a weight-bearing lunge with the assessed knee maintained in extension and the heel in contact with the floor.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-minute intervention or rest period
Perceived Pleasantness of IASTM
Participants receiving IASTM will rate the pleasantness of the intervention on an 11-point numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 representing the lowest possible pleasantness and 10 representing the highest possible pleasantness.
Time frame: Immediately after the 6-minute IASTM intervention
Perceived Relaxation After IASTM
Participants receiving IASTM will rate their perceived relaxation after the intervention on an 11-point numerical rating scale ranging from 0 to 10, with 0 representing the lowest possible relaxation and 10 representing the highest possible relaxation.
Time frame: Immediately after the 6-minute IASTM intervention
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