The Immediate Effects Of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition And Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition

Bulent Ecevit University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness

Treatments: Other: hamstring stretching; Other: Suboccipital inhibition group; Other: Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07096076

NCTHamstring-shortness

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 75 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 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

Exclusion criteria

• 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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

75 participants in 3 patient groups

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: hamstring stretching

Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group

Experimental group

Treatment:

Other: Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition

Other: hamstring stretching

Suboccipital inhibition group

Experimental group

Treatment:

Other: Suboccipital inhibition group

Other: hamstring stretching