IASTM vs. Static Stretching for Hamstring Tightness: Short- and Long-Term Effects (IASTM-HT)
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
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.
Studieoversigt
Status
Status
Betingelser
Betingelser
Intervention / Behandling
Intervention / Behandling
Detaljeret beskrivelse
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).
Both interventions will be delivered 3 times per week for 4 weeks (12 sessions total) by a physical therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience in orthopedic rehabilitation and manual therapy.
Outcome assessments will be performed by a blinded assessor independent of treatment delivery, at three time points: baseline (pre-treatment), short-term (3 days after the final session), and long-term (8 weeks after intervention completion). Outcome measures include:
- Flexibility: knee extension range of motion during 90° hip flexion, measured with a digital inclinometer
- Pressure pain threshold: measured with a digital algometer over the hamstring muscle bellies (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus)
- Functional performance: vertical jump height and single-leg hop distance
Statistical analysis will include two-way repeated-measures ANOVA to assess time and group-by-time interaction effects, with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc comparisons where appropriate.
Undersøgelsestype
Undersøgelsestype
Tilmelding (Anslået)
Tilmelding
Fase
Fase
- Ikke anvendelig
Kontakter og lokationer
Studiekontakt
Studiekontakt
- Navn: Gokhan Maras, PT, PhD
- Telefonnummer: +90 542 785 9619
- E-mail: gokhan.maras@selcuk.edu.tr
Studiesteder
-
-
Konya
-
Kulu, Konya, Tyrkiet (Türkiye)
- Rekruttering
- Selcuk University, Kulu Faculty of Health Sciences
-
-
Deltagelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Aldre berettiget til at studere
Tager imod sunde frivillige
Køn, der er berettiget til at studere
Beskrivelse
Inclusion Criteria:
- 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
Exclusion Criteria:
- 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
Studieplan
Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?
Design detaljer
- Primært formål: Behandling
- Tildeling: Randomiseret
- Interventionel model: Parallel tildeling
- Maskning: Enkelt
Antal våben
Våben og indgreb
Deltagergruppe / ArmDeltagergruppe / Arm |
Intervention / BehandlingIntervention / Behandling |
|---|---|
|
Eksperimentel: 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). |
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). |
|
Aktiv komparator: 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). |
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). |
Hvad måler undersøgelsen?
Primære resultatmål
Primære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Knee Extension Range of Motion (Flexibility)
Tidsramme: 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. |
Baseline, 3 days after final session (short-term), and 8 weeks after intervention completion (long-term)
|
Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere
Sponsor
Sponsor
Efterforskere
Efterforskere
- Ledende efterforsker: Gokhan Maras, PT, PhD, Selcuk University, Kulu Faculty of Health Sciences
Datoer for undersøgelser
Studer store datoer
Studiestart (Faktiske)
Studiestart
Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)
Primær færdiggørelse
Studieafslutning (Anslået)
Studieafslutning
Datoer for studieregistrering
Først indsendt
Først indsendt
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først opslået (Faktiske)
Først opslået
Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler
Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)
Sidste opdatering sendt
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidst verificeret
Sidst verificeret
Mere information
Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse
Nøgleord
Yderligere relevante MeSH-vilkår
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
- IASTM-HAM-2026-01
Lægemiddel- og udstyrsoplysninger, undersøgelsesdokumenter
Studerer et amerikansk FDA-reguleret lægemiddelprodukt
Studerer et amerikansk FDA-reguleret enhedsprodukt
Disse oplysninger blev hentet direkte fra webstedet clinicaltrials.gov uden ændringer. Hvis du har nogen anmodninger om at ændre, fjerne eller opdatere dine undersøgelsesoplysninger, bedes du kontakte register@clinicaltrials.gov. Så snart en ændring er implementeret på clinicaltrials.gov, vil denne også blive opdateret automatisk på vores hjemmeside .