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Mechanisms of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) Force Dose-Response Effects in the Calf-Foot Region

2 de noviembre de 2026 actualizado por: Mary T. Loghmani, Indiana University

Dual Pathway Mechanisms of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM) Dose-Response Effects in the Calf-Foot Region: Mechanical and Contextual Contributions

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.

Descripción general del estudio

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

40

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

  • Nombre: Mary Loghmani, PhD, PT
  • Número de teléfono: 3176910175
  • Correo electrónico: mloghman@iu.edu

Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio

  • Nombre: Rachael Powell, DPT
  • Número de teléfono: 3173061072
  • Correo electrónico: racpowel@iu.edu

Ubicaciones de estudio

    • Indiana
      • Indianapolis, Indiana, Estados Unidos, 46202
        • Indiana University School of Health and Human Sciences
        • Contacto:
          • Rachael Powell, DPT
          • Número de teléfono: 3173061072
          • Correo electrónico: racpowel@iu.edu
        • Contacto:
          • Mary T Loghmani, PhD, PT
          • Número de teléfono: 3176910175
          • Correo electrónico: mloghman@iu.edu
        • Investigador principal:
          • Mary T Loghmani, PhD, PT

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

18 años a 50 años (Adulto)

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

Sí

Géneros elegibles para el estudio

Todos

Descripción

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

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Ciencia básica
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación cruzada
  • Enmascaramiento: Único

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Experimental: Higher-force IASTM

Will receive higher-force instrument-assisted massage during one study session as randomized based on individualized dynamic pain threshold

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.

Otros nombres:
  • QSTM
Experimental: Lower-force IASTM

Will receive a lower-force instrument-assisted massage during one study session as randomized based on individualized dynamic pain threshold

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.

Otros nombres:
  • QSTM

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT)
Periodo de tiempo: 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).

Immediately before and after intervention to each leg at each session.

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Calf muscle stiffness
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately before and after intervention to each leg at each session.
pain pressure threshold
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Walking speed
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Vertical Jump Performance
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately before and after intervention at each session.
Self-reported Pain Level
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately before and after interventions to each leg at each session.
Self-reported function level
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Before and after interventions at each session.

Otras medidas de resultado

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Self-Reported Anxiety Level
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately prior to intervention at each session.
Treatment Outcome Expectancy
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately prior to first intervention at first session
Treatment Pleasantness Rating
Periodo de tiempo: 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.

Immediately following each intervention session.

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

Publicaciones y enlaces útiles

La persona responsable de ingresar información sobre el estudio proporciona voluntariamente estas publicaciones. Estos pueden ser sobre cualquier cosa relacionada con el estudio.

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

6 de noviembre de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

25 de octubre de 2027

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de diciembre de 2027

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

2 de noviembre de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

2 de noviembre de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

6 de noviembre de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

6 de noviembre de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

2 de noviembre de 2026

Última verificación

1 de noviembre de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Otros números de identificación del estudio

  • 32736

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

INDECISO

Descripción del plan IPD

De-identified individual participant data may be shared with other researchers in accordance with participant consent and institutional policies; however, specific plans for data sharing have not yet been determined.

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

Sí

producto fabricado y exportado desde los EE. UU.

Sí

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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