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Acute Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial Release on Cortical Activity

NCT07728617 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 124

Last updated 2026-07-29

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study will examine the immediate (acute) effects of a single myofascial release technique applied to the thoracolumbar fascia on brain activity in healthy young adults aged 18-25. Using a sham-controlled, randomized design, participants will be assigned to either an active treatment group, receiving a 10-minute myofascial release technique to the lower back, or a sham control group, receiving light surface touch to the same area for the same duration without any therapeutic pressure or movement.

Brain activity will be recorded using a portable, 8-channel wireless EEG system before the intervention, shortly after it (0-10 minutes), and again 30 minutes later, allowing researchers to track how cortical activity changes over time. Measurements will focus on sensorimotor rhythms (mu rhythm) and posterior alpha power, along with heart rate variability, to assess whether the myofascial technique produces effects that go beyond those of simple touch. The main goal is to determine whether this hands-on technique produces a measurable, distinct pattern of brain activity compared to a sham (placebo-like) touch condition.

Conditions

  • Healty Volunteers

Interventions

OTHER

Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial Release (Pilat MIF Crossed-Hands Technique)

A manual myofascial release technique applied for 10 minutes to the thoracolumbar fascia (T10-L4 region) in the prone position. The therapist's hands are placed in a crossed configuration over the fascia, applying sustained moderate pressure (1.5-2.5 kg) without rapid movement, aiming to release tension in the fascia's laminar and posterior layers. The technique is delivered by a certified myofascial therapist trained in the Pilat Myofascial Induction (MIF) method.

OTHER

Sham (Light Surface Touch)

A sham condition consisting of light, static surface contact (\<0.5 kg) applied to the same thoracolumbar region as the active technique, for the same 10-minute duration and in the same prone position. No therapeutic pressure, sliding, or manipulation is applied. This condition controls for the effects of therapist contact, positioning, and expectation, isolating the specific effect of the myofascial release technique itself.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hitit University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

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

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-09-01
Primary Completion
2027-08-31
Completion
2028-08-31

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

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 NCT07728617 on ClinicalTrials.gov