Effectiveness of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Myofascial Release in Reducing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in the Cervicothoracic Region (COMPARE-DOMS)
21 maj 2026 uppdaterad av: Iqra Majeed, Green International University
To Compare the Effectiveness of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation ( IASTM ) and Myofascial Release to Reducing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ( DOMS ) on Cervicothoracic Region
The current study is a randomized controlled trail comparing the effectiveness of IASTM and Myofascial Release for individuals with DOMS at cervicothoracic region.
The trail aims to evaluate improvements in pain, ROM, and neck disability.
Interventions will be delivered twice weekly for a specific duration.
The primary outcomes is pain reduction, while the secondary outcomes include improved disability level and ROM.
To conclude, IASTM demonstrated a significantly higher improvement compared to MFR in acute cervicothoracic DOMS in terms of pain, disability level, and ROM in all directions tested in adults.
Studieöversikt
Status
Avslutad
Betingelser
Intervention / Behandling
Detaljerad beskrivning
Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a physiological condition that develops in the course of time after strenuous unaccustomed physical exertion. In particular, DOMS occurs mostly in response to eccentric muscle actions, i.e., when muscle fibers lengthen while still performing work. Examples of eccentric actions may be, among others, lowering the load (weight training), downhill running, decelerating movements, and controlled return phase of resistance exercise (1). Unlike most types of physiological phenomena, DOMS usually develops after some period of time. Typically, it appears 12-24 hours after the workout and reaches its peak in 24-72 hours; afterwards, it will subside gradually over several days. DOMS is considered a normal adaptation reaction of the muscle. However, despite being physiologically beneficial and helping to adapt skeletal muscles to subsequent exercises through repeated bout phenomenon, DOMS may lead to considerable discomfort and even affect a person's quality of life. As the result of damage of muscle fibers and adjacent connective tissue in response to unaccustomed mechanical load, inflammatory reaction, swelling, and stimulation of pain receptors occurs. These processes are responsible for characteristic soreness associated with DOMS, which may impair individual's ability to perform certain activities and exercise.
The randomization process took place after participants were screened and underwent baseline assessment. Then, those who met the criteria were randomly allocated to Group A and Group B. Those patients in Group A were assigned to receive Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, whereas those participants who belonged to Group B were subjected to Myofascial Release. Random allocation was performed by a computer and carried out through opaque sealed envelopes opened by an independent individual.
Studietyp
Interventionell
Inskrivning (Faktisk)
58
Fas
- Inte tillämpbar
Kontakter och platser
Det här avsnittet innehåller kontaktuppgifter för dem som genomför studien och information om var denna studie genomförs.
Studieorter
-
-
Sheikhupura
-
Lahore, Sheikhupura, Pakistan
- Green International University
-
-
Deltagandekriterier
Forskare letar efter personer som passar en viss beskrivning, så kallade behörighetskriterier. Några exempel på dessa kriterier är en persons allmänna hälsotillstånd eller tidigare behandlingar.
Urvalskriterier
Åldrar som är berättigade till studier
- Vuxen
Tar emot friska volontärer
Nej
Beskrivning
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants aged between 30 and 40 years.
- Individuals presenting with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in the cervicothoracic region.
- Willingness to participate in either the IASTM or myofascial release intervention protocols.
- Ability to understand and sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of recent cervical or thoracic spine surgery, fractures, or severe trauma in the region.
- Presence of open wounds, active skin infections, or severe dermatological conditions in the cervicothoracic area where interventions will be applied.
- Diagnosed neurological deficits, cervical radiculopathy, or myelopathy.
- Known contraindications to soft tissue mobilization or manual therapy (e.g., severe osteoporosis, bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant use).
- Current use of muscle relaxants, heavy analgesics, or NSAIDs that could mask DOMS symptoms during the study period.
Studieplan
Det här avsnittet ger detaljer om studieplanen, inklusive hur studien är utformad och vad studien mäter.
Hur är studien utformad?
Designdetaljer
- Primärt syfte: Behandling
- Tilldelning: Randomiserad
- Interventionsmodell: Parallellt uppdrag
- Maskning: Trippel
Vapen och interventioner
Deltagargrupp / Arm |
Intervention / Behandling |
|---|---|
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Experimentell: IASTM
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a type of therapy where the practitioner utilizes unique instruments that are made of either metals or hard plastics that have smooth curved surfaces to glide on the skin surface to work on soft tissues.
IASTM helps in identifying and breaking down areas of muscle tightness and adhesion.
Blood flow is stimulated, pain, stiffness, and soreness are minimized, and mobility of the tissues is enhanced, thereby increasing joint range of motion.
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The participants in this group were given the Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).
They were rubbed with a very small amount of gel or lotion to allow easy mobilization of the tool over the skin.
The instrument has been developed to treat conditions of the cervical-thoracic joint region.
The instrument was applied over the upper trapezius muscle and the cervicothoracic joint region using controlled unidirectional strokes for 8-10 minutes each day with moderate pressure.
The process was done once every day for 2-3 days after the occurrence of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Group B: Myofascial Release Those who fell under Group B were subjected to myofascial release.
The physiotherapist used hands to apply slow and gentle pressure on the tissues that needed release.
Fascia and muscles of the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and cervicothoracic paraspinal muscles were applied pressure on until there was release of the
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Aktiv komparator: Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release (MFR) is an effective therapeutic massage technique that can be utilized to relieve muscle and fascia pain and tightness.
The practitioner uses a series of gentle stretching or applying sustained pressure on areas where tension is felt until the fascia releases.
Such release eases pain, improves circulation, joint mobility and muscle motion, enhances flexibility and posture
|
The participants in this group were given the Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM).
They were rubbed with a very small amount of gel or lotion to allow easy mobilization of the tool over the skin.
The instrument has been developed to treat conditions of the cervical-thoracic joint region.
The instrument was applied over the upper trapezius muscle and the cervicothoracic joint region using controlled unidirectional strokes for 8-10 minutes each day with moderate pressure.
The process was done once every day for 2-3 days after the occurrence of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Group B: Myofascial Release Those who fell under Group B were subjected to myofascial release.
The physiotherapist used hands to apply slow and gentle pressure on the tissues that needed release.
Fascia and muscles of the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and cervicothoracic paraspinal muscles were applied pressure on until there was release of the
|
Vad mäter studien?
Primära resultatmått
Resultatmått |
Åtgärdsbeskrivning |
Tidsram |
|---|---|---|
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Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain
Tidsram: Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
|
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 100 mm continuous line used to self-report cervicothoracic pain intensity.
The scale ranges from 0 mm (indicating "no pain") to 100 mm (indicating "worst imaginable pain").
Participants mark a point on the line that represents their current pain perception at rest and during active movement.
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Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
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Sekundära resultatmått
Resultatmått |
Åtgärdsbeskrivning |
Tidsram |
|---|---|---|
|
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM)
Tidsram: Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
|
Active cervical range of motion will be measured in degrees using a digital inclinometer or a cervical range of motion instrument.
Movement planes will include cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion (left and right), and rotation (left and right).
Decreased ranges indicate higher functional restriction due to muscle soreness.
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Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
|
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Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Tidsram: Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
|
Pressure pain threshold will be measured in kilograms per square centimeter (kg/cm²) using a digital hand-held pressure algometer applied over standardized trigger points in the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.
PPT determines the minimum pressure at which a sensation of pressure changes to pain.
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Baseline (pre-induction), Post-DOMS induction (24 hours), 48 hours, and 72 hours.
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Samarbetspartners och utredare
Det är här du hittar personer och organisationer som är involverade i denna studie.
Sponsor
Utredare
- Huvudutredare: Iqra Majeed Principal Investigator, Green International University, Lahore, Punjab
Studieavstämningsdatum
Dessa datum spårar framstegen för inlämningar av studieposter och sammanfattande resultat till ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieposter och rapporterade resultat granskas av National Library of Medicine (NLM) för att säkerställa att de uppfyller specifika kvalitetskontrollstandarder innan de publiceras på den offentliga webbplatsen.
Studera stora datum
Studiestart (Faktisk)
6 april 2026
Primärt slutförande (Faktisk)
29 april 2026
Avslutad studie (Faktisk)
6 maj 2026
Studieregistreringsdatum
Först inskickad
15 maj 2026
Först inskickad som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna
21 maj 2026
Första postat (Faktisk)
27 maj 2026
Uppdateringar av studier
Senaste uppdatering publicerad (Faktisk)
27 maj 2026
Senaste inskickade uppdateringen som uppfyllde QC-kriterierna
21 maj 2026
Senast verifierad
1 maj 2026
Mer information
Termer relaterade till denna studie
Nyckelord
Ytterligare relevanta MeSH-villkor
Andra studie-ID-nummer
- GIU/REC/26-25
Plan för individuella deltagardata (IPD)
Planerar du att dela individuella deltagardata (IPD)?
JA
IPD-planbeskrivning
Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared
Tidsram för IPD-delning
It will be available after the completion of study.
Kriterier för IPD Sharing Access
Through the corresponding author.
IPD-delning som stöder informationstyp
- STUDY_PROTOCOL
- SAV
- ICF
- CSR
Läkemedels- och apparatinformation, studiedokument
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Nej
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Nej
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