EFFECT OF IMPLEMENT ASSISTED SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION ON ILIOTIBIAL BAND TIGHTNESS

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2011-05
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The purpose of this investigation was: 1) to determine if implement assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques influence iliotibial band flexibility, and 2) to determine if differences exist between methods of implement assisted soft tissue mobilization, specifically Graston Technique® and Gua Sha technique. Sixty healthy, physically active subjects from a large midwestern university volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were without a history of iliotibial band (ITB) injury within the past six months. Additionally, subjects were screened for hyper ITB mobility prior to beginning the study. Only those subjects with baseline range of motion measurements of 26 degrees or less of hip adduction were included in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to three different treatment groups: Graston Technique®, Gua Sha, and a control group. Each subject’s hip adduction (ITB flexibility) was measured using a digital inclinometer. Three trials of hip adduction were completed after each treatment. Subjects participated in 4 days of treatment, with 48-72 hours between treatments. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data for each treatment group. A priori alpha was set at <0.05. Results of the statistical analysis revealed a significant group by test interaction. Follow up post hoc testing revealed subjects in the Graston Technique® group had a significant increase in hip range of motion on each test day as compared to the baseline measure. The Gua Sha group had a significant increase in hip adduction range of motion on days 2, 3, and 4 as compared to the baseline range of motion. There was no change in the control group range of motion. Additionally a significant difference was identified between groups. Post hoc testing identified a significant difference between the Graston Technique® group and the control group. Both the Graston Technique® and Gua Sha methods of soft tissue mobilization significantly increased hip adduction range of motion compared to baseline values. Clinicians who opt to use methods of soft tissue mobilization in relieving tightness can use implement assisted soft tissue mobilization to ease the stress on their hands. Graston Technique® and Gua Sha are two such methods, and results of this study indicate that both are effective in increasing hip adduction range of motion. The Graston Technique®, however, demonstrated the greatest improvement in range of motion over time.
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