The Immediate Effects Of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition And Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition

NCT07096076 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NCTHamstring-shortness
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of two self-myofascial release techniques-suboccipital muscle inhibition and thoracolumbal fascia inhibition-on hamstring flexibility, spinal range of motion, and balance in healthy adults. A total of 75 participants with hamstring tightness were randomly assigned to one of three groups: suboccipital inhibition, thoracolumbal inhibition, or control. All participants performed hamstring stretching, and the intervention groups received one of the inhibition techniques immediately after. Outcomes were measured at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention. The study found that both techniques led to significant improvements in hamstring flexibility and spinal mobility, with region-specific benefits. The thoracolumbal technique was more effective for trunk and hamstring flexibility, while the suboccipital technique provided greater cervical mobility gains. Balance improvements were limited. These findings support the use of targeted myofascial interventions in clinical practice.

Conditions

Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Change in Cervical Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

• Change in Finger-to-Floor Distance from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  Finger-to-Floor Distance was used to assess hamstring flexibility. Measurements were taken pre-intervention and within 30 minutes following the intervention.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

• Change in Y Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  The Y Balance Test was used to assess dynamic balance, with participants reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while standing on one leg. The average reach distance in centimeters (cm) was recorded for each direction. The test was administered at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention to assess immediate changes in balance performance.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

• Change in Active Knee Extension Angle (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  Active Knee Extension Test (AKET): Degree of knee extension measured using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater flexibility.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

• Change in The Stork Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  The Stork Balance Test was used to evaluate static balance by measuring how long (in seconds) a participant could maintain a balanced stance on one leg.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

• Change in Lumbal Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention

  Lumbal range of motion (flexion, extension) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.

  Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention

Study Arms (3)

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: hamstring stretching

Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition; Other: hamstring stretching

Suboccipital inhibition group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Suboccipital inhibition group; Other: hamstring stretching

Interventions

Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition OTHER

Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie on their backs without a pillow in a hook-lying position, placing a foam roller under the inferior part of the scapula and clasping their hands behind the cervical region. Then, they will be instructed to lift their hips off the ground and roll the foam roller in a cranial and caudal direction from the inferior scapular region to the sacral area for 30 seconds, performing flexion and extension movements with their knees. This application will be performed in a total of 4 sets.

Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group

Suboccipital inhibition group OTHER

Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie in a supine position on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and by dorsiflexing the ankle, they will pull the extended leg toward themselves. This position should be maintained for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not flex during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.

Suboccipital inhibition group

hamstring stretching OTHER

Participants performed passive hamstring stretching using a sheet for self-assistance. Participants will be asked to lie supine on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and performing ankle dorsiflexion, they will pull the leg-kept in knee extension-toward themselves. This position should be held for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not move into flexion during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.

Control Group; Suboccipital inhibition group; Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25
• Hamstring muscle tightness as defined by Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) ≥ 20°
• Ability to follow study instructions and provide informed consent
• No participation in other clinical studies within the last 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• AKET \< 20° (i.e., no hamstring tightness)
• History of musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic diseases affecting balance or flexibility
• Recent injury or surgery involving the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities
• Use of medications affecting muscle tone or balance
• Inability to perform the required movements or assessments
• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bulent Ecevit University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit Üniversity

Kozlu, Zonguldak Province, 67600, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2025
• First Posted: July 31, 2025
• Study Start: March 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 2, 2025
• Study Completion: June 26, 2025
• Last Updated: August 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP

Locations

TU (1)