Effects of IASTM in the Treatment of Adhesive Capsulitis

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pain, Shoulder; Myofacial Pain; Adhesion; Shoulder

Treatments: Other: Standard Exercise; Other: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM); Other: Home Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05358730

1008

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to determine the effects of IASTM in combination with exercise in frozen shoulder. Thirty-five patients with phase II frozen shoulder included in this single-blind, randomized study. Patients were divided into two groups. In the first group exercise programme (Group 1) and in the second group IASTM in combination with exercise programme (Group 2) were applied for twelve sessions (two days per week for six week). The primary outcome was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and secondary outcomes were the visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of motion (ROM), The Constant score and Short- Form-36 (SF-36). Outcome measures were performed at baseline, after the 6th session and the 12th session.

Full description

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a popular treatment for myofascial restriction based on the logic developed by James Cyriax. IASTM is applied using specially designed instruments to provide a mobilizing effect on soft tissue (eg scar tissue, myofascial adhesion) to reduce pain, improve joint range of motion and function. IASTM can help improve fibroblast proliferation and promote normal collagen sequencing, however, there is no enough study evaluating the results of IASTM use in patients with frozen shoulders in the literature. This study aimed to determine the effects of IASTM in combination with exercise in the treatment of frozen shoulder. Therefore, it was hypothesized that exercise programme combined with IASTM are more effective in improving pain, range of motion (ROM), and functionality than are the exercise programme alone.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged between 30 and 65 years;
• Duration of complaint of more than three months
• ROM in external rotation, abduction and flexion less than 50% in comparison to uninvolved shoulder in one or more of three movement directions

Exclusion criteria

• Having cervical radiculopathy
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Rheumatological disorders
• Fractures or tumors of either upper extremity
• Corticosteroid injections in the affected shoulder within the previous 4 weeks

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

IASTM + Standard Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients were applied IASTM in combination with standard exercise program two days a week for six weeks. The IASTM technique was performed using six titanium-plated instruments in different sizes, shapes and treatment styles. ROM, crutch, roller, scapulothoracic and stretching exercises were given as home exercises during the treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Home Exercise

Other: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

Other: Standard Exercise

Standard Exercise Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients were given a standard exercise program two days a week for six weeks. ROM, crutch, roller, scapulothoracic and stretching exercises were given as home exercises during the treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Home Exercise

Other: Standard Exercise