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.研究目的：评估器械辅助软组织松动术（Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, IASTM）分别与振动按摩、轻度手部按摩相比，对腘绳肌柔韧性及膝关节本体感觉的影响。研究设计：采用重复测量设计，设置3种不同实验干预条件。研究对象与方法：招募16名男性受试者，随机接受3项单次干预，每项干预间隔1周，干预部位为受试者优势侧下肢的腘绳肌：(a) 5分钟器械辅助软组织松动术，(b) 5分钟振动按摩，(c) 8分钟轻度手部按摩（设为安慰剂对照）。在每项干预前后，分别进行主动膝关节角度再现本体感觉测试以及坐位体前屈柔韧性测试。统计学分析包含两项结局指标及干预措施的信度评估，采用双因素重复测量方差分析（干预×时间）。研究结果：柔韧性指标的信度指标（组内相关系数ICC3,1=0.97~0.99，标准误SEM=0.83~1.52 cm）与本体感觉指标的信度指标（ICC3,1=0.83~0.88，SEM=1.63~2.02°）均表现优异。三组受试者的柔韧性指标在干预后均出现具有统计学意义的即时提升（提升幅度1.61~3.23 cm），组间无显著差异。本体感觉方面，器械辅助软组织松动术组（提升2.12°）与振动按摩组（提升0.32°）的改善均未达到统计学显著性水平。研究结论：单次干预后，器械辅助软组织松动术、振动按摩及轻度手部按摩均可对肌肉柔韧性与本体感觉产生正向影响，且效果相当。未来仍需开展进一步研究，以探讨这三种干预方式在预防腘绳肌拉伤及膝关节损伤中的作用。