Descriptive Analysis of Forces Applied by Trained Clinicians During 2-Handed Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Abstract

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a common intervention among clinicians. Despite the popularity, little is known about the forces applied by the clinician with the instruments during treatment. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the forces applied by trained clinicians using IASTM instruments during a simulated treatment. Eleven IASTM trained (Graston Technique, Técnica Gavilán, or RockBlades) clinicians (Physical Therapist = 2, Chiropractor = 2, Athletic Trainer = 7) participated in the study. Each clinician performed 75 two-handed strokes distributed evenly across five different IASTM instruments on a skin simulant attached to a force plate. IASTM stroke application was analyzed for peak normal forces (Fpeak) and mean normal forces (Fmean) by stroke. We observed an average Fpeak of 8.9N and Fmean of 6.0N across all clinicians and instruments. Clinicians and researchers may use the descriptive values as a reference for application of IASTM in practice and research.

Effect of instrument type and one-handed versus two-handed grips on force application during simulated instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation

“…Additionally, there is evidence for intraclinician reliability of applied IASTM forces for one-handed IASTM grips with the TG, FAT and RB 14. While IASTM force reliability data for a two-handed grip was not identified in the literature, two-handed force data from a simulated treatment on a force plate was found: IASTM forces ranged from 1.1 to 21.3 N for average peak force and 0.9 to 15.3 N for average mean force across clinicians using the EM, RB, FAT, TG and GT instruments 15. The variations in the range of forces reported by these studies across the aforementioned instruments requires further investigation into whether grip or instrument influenced force application.…”

“…The recent studies13–15 on clinician applied IASTM forces during simulated treatment scenarios did not examine if IASTM forces vary across different IASTM instruments or whether one-handed or two-handed grips influence force application. The potential for force variation across IASTM instruments and one-handed or two-handed stroke type would be valuable for informing clinical practice, literature interpretation and future research.…”

Comparing the Effectiveness of Soft Tissue Manipulation and IASTM for Calf Muscle Tightness in Spastic Cerebral Palsy Children

“…One notable therapeutic approach is instrumentassisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) . This technique involves the use of instruments to manipulate soft tissues (Jo et al, 2023), breaking up scar tissue, mobilizing muscles (Stevenson et al, 2023) and enhance healing processes (Croft et al, 2022). Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of IASTM in reducing spasticity (Bar-On et al, 2015) and improving upper extremity function in stroke rehabilitation (Shruti Deshpande et al, 2018).…”

“…The existing literature provides valuable insights into various therapeutic interventions and approaches for individuals with cerebral palsy (Orhan et al, 2018) and other musculoskeletal disorders Das et al, 2022;Singh and Sharma, 2023;Khant et al, 2023;Stevenson et al, 2023;Liu and Wang, 2023). These interventions range from Astym therapy, taskoriented training, acupuncture and IASTM to surgical interventions, collectively contributing to understanding effective strategies for enhancing motor function, reducing spasticity and improving overall functional ability.…”

“…These interventions range from Astym therapy, taskoriented training, acupuncture and IASTM to surgical interventions, collectively contributing to understanding effective strategies for enhancing motor function, reducing spasticity and improving overall functional ability. Future research and psychometric investigations are recommended for further validation and refinement of these therapeutic approaches (Basak, 2019;Das et al, 2022;Stevenson et al, 2023;Liu and Wang, 2023). This study specifically investigated the effectiveness of soft tissue manipulation (Lee et al, 2021) and IASTM in addressing calf muscle tightness among children with spastic cerebral palsy, aiming to assess the potential benefits of these interventions to improve overall functional capabilities, enhance the quality of life, and foster a more active and independent lifestyle (Nazary-Moghadam et al, 2023).…”