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

NCT06934694 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-05-04

No results posted yet for this study

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.

Conditions

  • Muscle Stiffness

Interventions

DEVICE

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Participants will receive a single session of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applied to the gastrocnemius muscle using a stainless-steel instrument. The treatment consists of longitudinal and transverse strokes targeting both the medial and lateral heads of the muscle. The procedure will be performed by a trained clinician, following a standardized protocol lasting approximately 5 minutes. The goal is to induce mechanical and neuromodulatory effects on muscle tissue. This intervention is designed to assess acute changes in muscle stiffness (via shear-wave elastography) and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (via the weight-bearing lunge test).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Primorska

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-24
Primary Completion
2025-05-30
Completion
2025-06-15

Countries

  • Slovenia

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06934694 on ClinicalTrials.gov