Stroke Clinical Trials

Find Stroke Clinical Trials Near You

Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness and Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Device
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This study will examine whether a technique called instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) can reduce stiffness in the calf muscle (gastrocnemius) and improve ankle mobility. Muscle stiffness will be measured using a specialized ultrasound method called shear-wave elastography, while ankle range of motion will be assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test. Healthy volunteers will participate in this study, and measurements will be taken before and after a single IASTM treatment. The aim is to determine if this manual therapy technique can produce immediate changes in muscle properties and joint flexibility.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 35
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Age between 18 and 45 years

• Healthy individuals without current lower limb injury

• No history of surgery to the ankle, knee, or calf

• Able to perform the weight-bearing lunge test without assistance

• Willing to refrain from intense lower-limb exercise 24 hours before testing

Locations
Other Locations
Slovenia
University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola
RECRUITING
Izola
Contact Information
Primary
Žiga Kozinc, PhD
ziga.kozinc@fvz.upr.si
+38640161503
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-04-24
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-06-15
Participants
Target number of participants: 38
Treatments
Experimental: IASTM
Participants in this arm will receive a single session of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the gastrocnemius muscle. The treatment will be performed using a standardized protocol that includes longitudinal and cross-friction strokes with a stainless-steel tool. The intervention is designed to target the superficial and deep layers of the gastrocnemius and will be delivered for a total of approximately 5 minutes. Post-treatment assessments of muscle stiffness and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be conducted immediately following the intervention.
No_intervention: Control
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Primorska

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov