Mechanisms of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) Force Dose-Response Effects in the Calf-Foot Region
Limited Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion · Calf Muscle Tightness
De qué trata este estudio
El registro no identifica actualmente este estudio como reclutando. Consulta su estado antes de planificar una evaluación.
- Tipo de estudio
- De intervención
- Fase
- No aplica
- Rango de edad
- 18 años - 50 años
- Sexo admitido
- Todos los sexos
- Voluntarios sanos
- Aceptados
- Participantes
- 40 Estimado
Estos son puntos de partida, no una decisión de elegibilidad. El equipo debe revisar todos los requisitos.
Las explicaciones y la navegación están en español. Los textos proporcionados por el registro, incluidos títulos, resúmenes y criterios, se conservan en su idioma original. Puedes pedir orientación en español a WCR.
Acerca de la investigación
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how different levels of force applied during instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM), a common rehabilitation treatment, affect muscle and soft tissue function in healthy adults with limited ankle flexibility. The study will also examine whether participant expectations, treatment comfort, and other contextual factors influence treatment outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do higher-force and lower-force IASTM treatments produce different changes in ankle flexibility, muscle stiffness, pressure pain sensitivity, walking performance, and jumping ability? How do participant expectations, anxiety, comfort, and treatment perceptions contribute to treatment outcomes?
Researchers will compare a higher-force IASTM treatment to a lower-force IASTM treatment to determine whether force dose influences physical and patient-reported outcomes.
Participants will:
Attend two study visits separated by a washout period of 3-7 days. Receive a lower-force IASTM treatment during one visit and a higher-force IASTM treatment during the other visit, in a randomly assigned order.
Complete questionnaires about expectations, anxiety, treatment comfort, and treatment experience.
Undergo assessments of ankle flexibility, calf muscle stiffness, sensitivity to pressure, walking speed, and lower-body performance before and after each treatment session.
The findings from this study will help researchers better understand how biomechanical and non-biomechanical factors contribute to the effects of soft tissue treatments and may help inform the development of more effective rehabilitation interventions.
¿Quién podría participar?
La lista siguiente contiene el texto del patrocinador. Puede incluir condiciones, tratamientos previos, resultados de pruebas y otros requisitos. Aparecer en tu búsqueda no significa que califiques.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Male or female
2. Between the ages of 18-50 years old
3. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 but \<30 kg/m2
4. A tight calf with limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion: \< 8-9 cm on weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) indicating restricted ankle dorsiflexion and/or side to side difference of \>1.5 cm due to muscular tightness.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Any known musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as nerve impingement (radiculopathies), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or inflammatory conditions that may interfere with study participation.
2. Ankle joint limitations due to intra-articular, capsular tightness, or post-fracture abnormalities.
3. Any known cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic disease, or other co-morbidities that could interfere with the clinician's ability to perform basic IASTM stroke patterns to the calf or subject participation.
4. Any narcotics, blood thinners, or other medications that could alter sensation, consciousness, or tendency to bruise/bleed.
5. Any recent surgeries, medical conditions, or injuries that could interfere with treatment or ability to participate.
6. Acute injuries, unhealed, acute or unstable conditions.
7. Any known contraindications to instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation of the lower extremity, including but not limited to open wounds, active infection, unhealed fracture, deep vein thrombosis, severe vascular disorders, bleeding disorders, anticoagulant therapy associated with increased bleeding risk, or other conditions that, in the judgment of the investigator, would make study participation unsafe.
8. Current smoking or recreational/illicit drug use.
9. Individuals who answer "Yes" to any of Questions 1-7 on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) will be required to obtain written clearance from their physician or other qualified healthcare provider before participating in study procedures involving physical activity
Tratamiento, grupos y participación
El registro puede describir tratamientos y duración sin incluir un calendario completo. Pide al equipo las visitas, procedimientos, riesgos, costos y alternativas. Mantén tu atención habitual salvo que tu médico te indique un cambio.
- Asignación
- Asignación al azar
- Enmascaramiento
- Enmascaramiento simple
Higher-force IASTM
Will receive higher-force instrument-assisted massage during one study session as randomized based on individualized dynamic pain threshold
Device: quantitative instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation
Lower-force IASTM
Will receive a lower-force instrument-assisted massage during one study session as randomized based on individualized dynamic pain threshold
Device: quantitative instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation
quantitative instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation DEVICE
Higher-Force Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) is applied to the calf-foot region using a force-sensing research instrument that provides real-time visual feedback to the clinician. A standardized treatment protocol is used, including consistent treatment duration, treatment area, stroke characteristics, and participant positioning. Force is maintained within a predefined higher-force target range based on participant tolerance within their comfort. Lower-Force IASTM is applied to the calf-foot region using the same force-sensing device and standardized treatment protocol. Force is maintained within a predefined lower-force target range to isolate the effects of force dose on study outcomes. The intervention is designed to evaluate force-dose effects while controlling other treatment variables.
Qué evalúan los investigadores
Estas medidas indican qué se estudia. No prueban que un tratamiento funcione.
Medidas principales
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT)
Plazo: Immediately before and after intervention to each leg at each session.
Change in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measured using the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) immediately following higher-force and lower-force instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM).
Medidas secundarias
Calf muscle stiffness
Plazo: Immediately before and after intervention to each leg at each session.
Calf muscle stiffness will be assessed using a handheld tissue stiffness measurement device. Higher values indicate greater resistance of the calf musculature to deformation, whereas lower values indicate reduced tissue stiffness.
pain pressure threshold
Plazo: Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Pressure pain threshold will be assessed using a pressure algometer applied to the calf musculature. The measure represents the minimum pressure at which pressure sensation first becomes painful. Higher values indicate lower pain sensitivity.
Walking speed
Plazo: Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Walking speed will be assessed during a standardized walking task and reported as walking velocity. Higher values indicate faster walking performance.
Vertical Jump Performance
Plazo: Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Jump height will be recorded using standard equipment, with higher values indicating greater lower-extremity power and performance.
Self-reported Pain Level
Plazo: Immediately before and after interventions to each leg at each session.
Pain intensity will be assessed using an 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), ranging from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst pain imaginable"). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Self-reported function level
Plazo: Before and after interventions at each session.
Function level will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with higher scores indicating greater self-reported function.
Otras medidas
Self-Reported Anxiety Level
Plazo: Immediately prior to intervention at each session.
Anxiety level will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), in which participants rate their current level of anxiety on a continuous scale. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported anxiety.
Treatment Outcome Expectancy
Plazo: Immediately prior to first intervention at first session
Treatment expectancy will be assessed using a participant-reported questionnaire that measures the extent to which participants expect the higher or lower force intervention to improve mobility, physical performance, and related outcomes. Higher scores indicate greater expectations of treatment benefit.
Treatment Pleasantness Rating
Plazo: Immediately following each intervention session.
Treatment pleasantness will be assessed using a participant-reported rating of the overall comfort and pleasantness of the intervention experience. Higher scores indicate a more favorable treatment experience.
Revisa las tablas completas y sus limitaciones en el registro oficial.
Abrir resultados oficiales ↗Centros de investigación (1)
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1 centros
Indiana University School of Health and Human SciencesIndianapolis, Indiana, United StatesEstado desconocido
Equipo y fechas
- Patrocinador principal
- Indiana University
- Inicio del estudio
- 6 nov 2026 Estimado
- Finalización primaria
- 25 oct 2027 Estimado
- Finalización del estudio
- 2027-12 Estimado
- Primera publicación
- 6 nov 2026 Real
- Última actualización
- 10 nov 2026 Real
Contactos oficiales del estudio
Título oficial del estudio
Dual Pathway Mechanisms of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) Dose-Response Effects in the Calf-Foot Region: Mechanical and Contextual Contributions
Consulta a Wellness Clinical Research
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Fuente: API v2 de ClinicalTrials.gov. Patrocinadores e investigadores envían la información. La NLM no aprueba la seguridad ni la ciencia de todos los estudios registrados. Aviso del registro.
Consultado: 12 nov 2026 · Última actualización del registro: 10 nov 2026