IASTM and Vibration Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Kinesiophobia in Lumbar Disc Herniation

Medipol Health Group

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Vibration; Soft Tissue Mobilization; Lumbar Disc Herniation

Treatments: Other: IASTM; Other: Percussion massage therapy; Other: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07293676

E-10840098-202.3.02-1887

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and vibration massage therapy on pain, functionality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with lumbar disc herniation.

Full description

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Percussion massage therapy on pain, functionality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with lumbar disc herniation. In addition, participants will be randomly assigned to three groups Conventional Therapy, Percussion Massage Therapy, and IASTM and the study will aim to examine and compare the pre- and post-treatment effects of these three interventions on pain, functionality, and kinesiophobia.

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals between 30 and 60 years of age
• Individuals diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation at the protrusion level
• Individuals with no cognitive, intellectual, or mental impairments and who are able to express themselves
• Individuals with a VAS score greater than 5
• Individuals experiencing pain for at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with a history of lumbar surgery
• Individuals who are pregnant
• Individuals who have had a spinal tumor or any other malignancy within the past six months
• Individuals who have received physiotherapy for low back pain within the last six months
• Individuals with orthopedic conditions such as fractures
• Individuals diagnosed with neurological, rheumatological, or psychological disorders
• Individuals with diagnoses such as infection, spondylosis, spondylolysis, osteoporosis, or ankylosing spondylitis will be excluded from the study.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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45 participants in 3 patient groups

Conventional exercise group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The exercise program will be performed at home for four weeks, twice daily. Exercise progression will begin with 10 repetitions and will be individualized according to each participant's condition. Exercises that provoke pain will be discontinued as advised. Participants will be provided with an illustrated exercise brochure, and follow-up will be conducted once a week through phone calls. First, participants will be instructed to lie on their backs on a flat surface with their knees bent, placing approximately a 30 cm elevation (such as two pillows) under the calves to assume a relaxation position and maintain it for 30 seconds. The exercise program will include hip flexor and lumbar extensor stretching, hamstring stretching, bridge exercises, erector spinae strengthening (prone superman), quadruped alternating arm-leg raises, and cat-camel exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

IASTM Group

Experimental group

Description:

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment will be applied twice per week for a total of eight sessions. The intervention will be performed using stainless-steel tools of various sizes specifically designed for different anatomical regions (Figure 2). Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization will be administered to the iliocostalis lumborum, erector spinae, and quadratus lumborum muscles, as well as to the superficial and deep fascia. Before the application, a thin layer of petroleum jelly will be applied to the area to facilitate smooth gliding of the instrument. The IASTM treatment will be delivered for a total of six minutes, with each technique (sweep, fan, brush, and sweep) being performed for 8-10 repetitions along the affected muscle fibers.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Other: IASTM

Percussion Massage Therapy Group

Experimental group

Description:

Vibration massage therapy will be applied twice per week for a total of eight sessions. After positioning the participant in the prone position, the session will begin. For vibration massage, the No. 2 standard ball attachment of the Theragun™ and the Theragun Pro device, which provides 1750 percussions per minute, will be used. The Theragun will be held perpendicular to the muscle at all times, and no additional pressure other than the weight of the device itself will be applied. Throughout the procedure, the massage gun will be kept in continuous contact with the skin, maintaining consistent pressure. The vibration massage will be administered to the erector spinae and lumbar paravertebral muscle groups. A total of 10 minutes of percussion massage will be applied to the lateral portions of the lower back erector spinae muscles (5 minutes on each side), and the massage gun will be moved in a straight line from the distal to the proximal direction within approximately 30 seconds.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Other: Percussion massage therapy