IASTM ELECTROMASSAGE HAND MASSAGE study

Objectives: To evaluate Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) compared to vibration massage and light hand massage on hamstrings’ flexibility and knee proprioception.
Design: Repeated measures design under 3 different experimental conditions.
Methods: 16 male participants were randomly assigned in 3 single-session interventions delivered with a 1-week time interval over the hamstrings of their dominant leg: (a) 5min IASTM, (b) 5min Vibration Massage and (c) 8min Light Hand-Massage, considered as placebo. An active knee angle reproduction proprioception test and the back-saver sit and reach flexibility test were performed before and immediately after each intervention. Statistical analysis included reliability assessment of the 2 outcomes and of interventions with a two-factor repeated measures ANOVA (intervention x time).
Results: Reliability indices for flexibility (ICC3,1=0.97-0.99/SEM=0.83-1.52 cm) and proprioception (ICC3,1=0.83-0.88/SEM=1.63-2.02o) were very good. For flexibility, statistically significant immediate increases were noted in all 3 groups (1.61-3.23 cm), with no between-group differences. For proprioception, improvements noted in the IASTM (2.12o) and Vibration Massage (0.32o) conditions were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Muscle flexibility and proprioception after a single intervention of IASTM, Vibration Massage or Light Hand Massage were similarly positively affected. Further research is required to examine their preventive role against hamstring strains and knee injuries.

研究目标：旨在评估器械辅助软组织松动术（IASTM）与振动按摩及轻柔手法按摩在股四头肌柔韧性和膝关节本体感觉方面的效果对比。研究设计：采用三因素重复测量设计，分别在三种实验条件下进行。研究方法：16名男性参与者被随机分配至三种单次干预方案中，干预时间间隔为一周，干预对象为其优势腿的股四头肌：(a) 5分钟IASTM，(b) 5分钟振动按摩，以及(c) 8分钟轻柔手法按摩，作为安慰剂。干预前后分别进行活跃膝关节角度再现本体感觉测试和背部节省者坐位触地柔韧性测试。统计分析包括对两种结果和干预措施进行信度评估，采用双因素重复测量方差分析（干预×时间）。研究结果：柔韧性（ICC3,1=0.97-0.99/SEM=0.83-1.52厘米）和本体感觉（ICC3,1=0.83-0.88/SEM=1.63-2.02度）的可靠性指数均非常好。对于柔韧性，三个组别均观察到统计学上显著的即时增加（1.61-3.23厘米），组间无差异。对于本体感觉，IASTM（2.12度）和振动按摩（0.32度）条件下的改善并不具有统计学意义。研究结论：IASTM、振动按摩或轻柔手法按摩的单次干预对肌肉柔韧性和本体感觉的积极影响相似。为进一步研究其预防股四头肌拉伤和膝关节损伤的作用，尚需进一步研究。