Effects of IASTM and Vibration Therapy in Cervical Disc Herniation

Emre DANSUK

Status: Completed

Conditions: Neck Pain; Intervertebral Disc Displacement

Treatments: Other: Conventional Exercise Group (Control); Device: a percussion massage gun; Device: specially designed stainless-steel instruments

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06903000

E-10840098-202.3.02-1924

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and percussion massage therapy on pain, functional status, proprioception, and kinesiophobia in individuals with cervical disc herniation. A total of 66 participants diagnosed with cervical disc herniation will be randomly divided into three groups: vibration therapy, IASTM, and conventional exercise. Each group will receive conventional physiotherapy, while the intervention groups will additionally receive their respective therapies. Outcomes will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Laser Pointer Joint Position Sense Test, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). The aim is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of both therapies in reducing pain, improving functionality and proprioception, and decreasing fear of movement.

Full description

Cervical disc herniation is a common musculoskeletal condition that causes significant pain and functional limitations, often affecting individuals in their middle ages and those working in sedentary occupations. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of two modern physical therapy techniques-Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and percussion-based vibration therapy-on pain, functional capacity, proprioception, and kinesiophobia in individuals with cervical disc herniation.

A total of 66 participants diagnosed with cervical disc herniation will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Vibration Therapy Group, (2) IASTM Group, and (3) Conventional Exercise Group. All participants will receive standard physiotherapy, including thermotherapy, TENS, and range of motion exercises. Intervention groups will additionally receive either percussion massage therapy (3 sessions/week for 3 weeks) or IASTM (3 sessions/week for 3 weeks), targeting the cervical and upper back musculature.

Outcome measures will include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional assessment, a Laser Pointer Joint Position Sense Test for proprioception, and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) to assess fear of movement. The study seeks to compare the effectiveness of these approaches in improving clinical outcomes and contributing to evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for individuals with cervical disc pathology.

Enrollment: 57 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Have a diagnosis of cervical disc herniation.
• Have a complaint of neck pain lasting at least 3 weeks.
• Have a restriction in cervical range of motion.

Exclusion criteria

• Have any additional orthopedic or neurological disorders besides cervical problems.
• Have a history of previous trauma to the cervical region.
• Have received physiotherapy within the past 6 months.
• Are unable to tolerate vibration therapy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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57 participants in 3 patient groups

Vibration Therapy Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive percussion-based vibration therapy applied using a percussion massage device (Compex Fix 2.0) with a soft head attachment. Therapy will target trapezius, levator scapula, and cervical paravertebral muscles along their origin-insertion lines for 3 minutes per muscle group. Sessions will be conducted 3 days per week over 3 weeks, alongside conventional physiotherapy, including heat therapy (20 min), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS - 100 Hz), range-of-motion (ROM) exercises (2 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-second holds at end-range), and isometric strengthening exercises (2 sets of 10 repetitions, 6-second holds per direction).

Treatment:

Device: a percussion massage gun

Other: Conventional Exercise Group (Control)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization applied using specially designed stainless-steel instruments. Techniques (Sweep, Fan, Brush) will be applied to cervical and upper-back musculature (splenius, suboccipital, upper-middle-lower trapezius) and related fascia between C1-T1 vertebrae, parallel to muscle fibers for approximately 6 minutes per session. Each technique will consist of 8-10 repetitions. Treatments will occur 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks, alongside conventional physiotherapy interventions (heat therapy for 20 minutes, TENS at 100 Hz, ROM exercises, and isometric strengthening exercises as described above).

Treatment:

Device: specially designed stainless-steel instruments

Other: Conventional Exercise Group (Control)

Conventional Exercise Group (Control)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this control group will receive conventional physiotherapy treatment alone. The treatment includes heat therapy applied to the cervical region for 20 minutes, TENS application at a frequency of 100 Hz to painful areas, ROM exercises performed in all cervical directions (2 sets of 10 repetitions, 2-second holds at end-range), and isometric strengthening exercises in cervical flexion, extension, and lateral flexion directions (2 sets of 10 repetitions, 6-second holds per repetition). Sessions will take place 4 days per week for 3 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Exercise Group (Control)