Effect of Three Force Magnitudes During the Cross-Hand Technique in the Thoracolumbar Region on the Myofascial System in Healthy Adults (MFR)

Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) employs specific manual techniques to assess and treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Among these, the Myofascial Induction Method (MIM) and its "crossed hands" technique are designed to restore fascial mobility and hydration through sustained mechanical forces. However, the lack of standardization (particularly regarding applied force) limits reproducibility and clinical consistency. The objective of this research is to compare the effects of three force magnitudes (2 kg, 5 kg, and 11 kg) applied during the crossed-hands technique on fascial stiffness, thickness, pain pressure threshold, and lumbopelvic mobility in healthy adults.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Adult; Fascia
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Myofascial release therapy

Detailed Description

Introduction: Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) employs specific manual techniques to assess and treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Among these, the Myofascial Induction Method (MIM) and its "crossed hands" technique are designed to restore fascial mobility and hydration through sustained mechanical forces. However, the lack of standardization (particularly regarding applied force) limits reproducibility and clinical consistency. Objective: To compare the effects of three force magnitudes (2 kg, 5 kg, and 11 kg) applied during the crossed-hands technique on fascial stiffness, thickness, pain pressure threshold, and lumbopelvic mobility in healthy adults. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 healthy participants, divided into three groups (n = 10 each). Each received a single 5-minute session of the crossed-hands technique on the thoracolumbar fascia using forces of 2 kg (G3), 5 kg (G2), or 11 kg (G1). Fascial stiffness was measured with a Shore 00 durometer, thickness via ultrasound (Mindray TE7), pain pressure threshold (PPT) by algometry, and lumbopelvic mobility using Kinovea® motion analysis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Colombia
  • Chía, Colombia, 25001
    • Universidad de La Sabana

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants aged 18 years or older
• Participants of both sexes
• Apparently healthy participants

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with cognitive disability that limited the ability to follow instructions
• Participants with active pain greater than 5/10 at the time of the examination
• Participants with obesity (BMI greater than 30)
• Individuals with active vertigo
• Participants taking muscle relaxants at the time of the measurement,
• Participants who had received myofascial induction within 24 hours prior to the measurement

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Screening
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 2kg; This group received a single 5-minute session of the crossed-hands technique on the thoracolumbar fascia using forces of 2 kg measured by a adapated stretcher with loan cells	Other: Myofascial release therapy; Crossed hands technique. This approach is based on stimulating the myofascial system through the application of slow and gradual pressures. Its objective is to restore hydration and release deep restrictions within the soft tissue that cannot be reached with direct pressure or are difficult to identify during the initial evaluation process
Experimental: 5kgs; This group received a single 5-minute session of the crossed-hands technique on the thoracolumbar fascia using forces of 5 kg measured by a adapated stretcher with loan cells	Other: Myofascial release therapy; Crossed hands technique. This approach is based on stimulating the myofascial system through the application of slow and gradual pressures. Its objective is to restore hydration and release deep restrictions within the soft tissue that cannot be reached with direct pressure or are difficult to identify during the initial evaluation process
Experimental: 11Kgs; This group received a single 5-minute session of the crossed-hands technique on the thoracolumbar fascia using forces of 11 kg measured by a adapated stretcher with loan cells	Other: Myofascial release therapy; Crossed hands technique. This approach is based on stimulating the myofascial system through the application of slow and gradual pressures. Its objective is to restore hydration and release deep restrictions within the soft tissue that cannot be reached with direct pressure or are difficult to identify during the initial evaluation process

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pelvic mobility	Subjects will be placed in a standing position and instructed to touch the floor with their hands while keeping their knees extended. The variables analyzed are anterior pelvic tilt and the translation angle of the lower limbs	This variable will be measured before the intervention and inmediatly after the intervention, all in the same day.
Fascial stiffness	Fascial stiffness is the mechanical property of fascial tissue that reflects its resistance to changes in shape or length when subjected to an external force. It is influenced by the composition and organization of the extracellular matrix, collagen fiber arrangement, tissue hydration, and neuromuscular factors.	This variable will be measured before the intervention and inmediatly after the intervention, all in the same day.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)	Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) is defined as the minimum amount of pressure applied to a tissue that is perceived as painful by an individual.	This variable will be measured before the intervention and inmediatly after the intervention, all in the same day.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universidad de la Sabana
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Alejandra Sánchez, PT, Universidad de La Sabana

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• A guide to our protocol description

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 5, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 28, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): September 29, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 30, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 30, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical therapy; Healthy Adult; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Myofascial Release Therapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Therapeutics; Complementary Therapies; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Massage; Myofascial Release Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: FIS2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: I can not share personal data of the participants due to the limitations given by the ethics commite

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No