Instructional Influence: How Cueing Alters Foam Rolling Outcomes

NCT07031193 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB-25-143
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Foam rolling (FR) is a common tool and procedure used in rehabilitation. Previous research has demonstrated physical improvements in range of motion and subjective reductions in pain post-intervention. Most of the literature theorizes potential biophysical reasons for these changes, but definitive studies are lacking. Another potential mechanism for these improvements may be psychological. The purpose of this study is to explore the psychological changes that occur in response to the instructions given to the patient and how these may influence the outcomes the individual receives while undergoing FR. Different instructions will be given for the same technique of FR to see if there are differences in changes with pain and range of motion.

Conditions

Foam Roller

Keywords

foam roller,; range of motion; pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Straight leg raise Range of motion on dominate leg

  Hamstring range of motion is measured with a standard goniometer on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). Participant lying supine, the examiner assists with raising the leg straight (knee at 0 degrees extension) at the hip into flexion. Measure maximal hip flexion, with no change in knee extension, posterior pelvic tilt, or lumbar spine flexion. Goniometric measurements of hamstring length will then be measured with the stationary arm in line with the lateral midline of the pelvis, the axis of the goniometer will be placed on the greater trochanter of the hip, and the movement arm will be lined up with the midline of the lateral femur to the lateral epicondyle of the ipsilateral knee.

  from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day

• Pain pressure threshold of the hamstring muscle group

  Use of a handheld algometer to assess pain pressure threshold. Application of pressure at the middle point of the hamstring on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). The middle point is determined by the midway point measured from the ischial tuberosity and the knee joint line. Pressure is applied at a steady rate until the participant reports that the sensation of pressure changes from pressure to pain. Measurement in kg/cm2 will be recorded and the average of three measurements will be recorded.

  from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day

Study Arms (2)

ROM

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Foam rolling with instructions related to pain reduction

Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction; Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvement

Pain

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Foam rolling with Pain reduction instructions

Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction; Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvement

Interventions

Foam roller instructions for pain reduction PROCEDURE

Foam rolling procedure with pain reduction instructions over hamstring muscle group

Pain; ROM

Foam rolling for range of motion improvement PROCEDURE

Foam rolling over hamstring muscle group with range of motion improvement instructions.

Pain; ROM

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Fluent in English and primary language

You may not qualify if:

• Current musculoskeletal injury of the lower limbs for which they are receiving medical care.
• Recent surgery to the lower limbs that has not been fully released for full participation by a medical provider.
• Use of any pain-relieving medications within the last 24 hours.
• Any medical condition that limits their perception of pain.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of South Dakota: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota, 57069, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Kory Zimney, DPT, PhD

CONTACT

877-269-6837; kory.zimney@usd.edu

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 12, 2025
• First Posted: June 22, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

US (1)