Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Gastrocnemius Stiffness and Ankle Range of Motion

NCT06934694 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IASTM_Gastro
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine whether a technique called instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) can reduce stiffness in the calf muscle (gastrocnemius) and improve ankle mobility. Muscle stiffness will be measured using a specialized ultrasound method called shear-wave elastography, while ankle range of motion will be assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test. Healthy volunteers will participate in this study, and measurements will be taken before and after a single IASTM treatment. The aim is to determine if this manual therapy technique can produce immediate changes in muscle properties and joint flexibility.

Conditions

Muscle Stiffness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle stiffness

  Stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle will be measured using shear-wave elastography (SWE), a non-invasive ultrasound technique that quantifies the shear modulus of soft tissue. Measurements will be performed with the participant in a prone position, with the ankle in a standardized neutral position, to ensure consistency. The shear modulus (in kilopascals) will be used as the primary metric of muscle stiffness. Time Frame:

  Baseline and Immediately Post-Intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

  Baseline and Immediately Post-Intervention

Study Arms (2)

IASTM

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive a single session of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the gastrocnemius muscle. The treatment will be performed using a standardized protocol that includes longitudinal and cross-friction strokes with a stainless-steel tool. The intervention is designed to target the superficial and deep layers of the gastrocnemius and will be delivered for a total of approximately 5 minutes. Post-treatment assessments of muscle stiffness and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be conducted immediately following the intervention.

Device: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization DEVICE

Participants will receive a single session of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the gastrocnemius muscle using a stainless-steel instrument. The treatment consists of longitudinal and transverse strokes targeting both the medial and lateral heads of the muscle. The procedure will be performed by a trained clinician, following a standardized protocol lasting approximately 5 minutes. The goal is to induce mechanical and neuromodulatory effects on muscle tissue. This intervention is designed to assess acute changes in muscle stiffness (via shear-wave elastography) and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (via the weight-bearing lunge test).

IASTM

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 45 years
• Healthy individuals without current lower limb injury
• No history of surgery to the ankle, knee, or calf
• Able to perform the weight-bearing lunge test without assistance
• Willing to refrain from intense lower-limb exercise 24 hours before testing

You may not qualify if:

• Current or recent (past 3 months) lower limb musculoskeletal pain or injury
• Known neuromuscular or vascular disorders affecting the lower extremity
• Use of medications affecting muscle tone or flexibility within 48 hours prior to testing
• Previous adverse reactions to manual therapy or IASTM
• Skin lesions, bruising, or conditions over the gastrocnemius that contraindicate IASTM
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Primorska: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola

Izola, Municipality of Izola, 6310, Slovenia

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD, Assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 11, 2025
• First Posted: April 18, 2025
• Study Start: April 24, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2025
• Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SL (1)