Indiana University
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how different levels of force applied during instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM), a common rehabilitation treatment, affect muscle and soft tissue function in healthy adults with limited ankle flexibility. The study will also examine whether participant expectations, treatment comfort, and other contextual factors influence treatment outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do higher-force and lower-force IASTM treatments produce different changes in ankle flexibility, muscle stiffness, pressure pain sensitivity, walking performance, and jumping ability? How do participant expectations, anxiety, comfort, and treatment perceptions contribute to treatment outcomes? Researchers will compare a higher-force IASTM treatment to a lower-force IASTM treatment to determine whether force dose influences physical and patient-reported outcomes. Participants will: Attend two study visits separated by a washout period of 3-7 days. Receive a lower-force IASTM treatment during one visit and a higher-force IASTM treatment during the other visit, in a randomly assigned order. Complete questionnaires about expectations, anxiety, treatment comfort, and treatment experience. Undergo assessments of ankle flexibility, calf muscle stiffness, sensitivity to pressure, walking speed, and lower-body performance before and after each treatment session. The findings from this study will help researchers better understand how biomechanical and non-biomechanical factors contribute to the effects of soft tissue treatments and may help inform the development of more effective rehabilitation interventions.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female 2. Between the ages of 18-50 years old 3. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 but \<30 kg/m2 4. A tight calf with limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion: \< 8-9 cm on weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) indicating restricted ankle dorsiflexion and/or side to side difference of \>1.5 cm due to muscular tightness. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any known musculoskeletal pain conditions, such as nerve impingement (radiculopathies), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or inflammatory conditions that may interfere with study participation. 2. Ankle joint limitatio…
Higher-Force Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) is applied to the calf-foot region using a force-sensing research instrument that provides real-time visual feedback to the clinician. A standardized treatment protocol is used, including consistent treatment duration, treatment area, stroke characteristics, and participant positioning. Force is maintained within a predefined higher-force target range based on participant tolerance within their comfort. Lower-Force IASTM is applied to the calf-foot region using the same force-sensing device and standardized treatment protocol. Force is maintained within a predefined lower-force target range to isolate the effects of force dose on study outcomes. The intervention is designed to evaluate force-dose effects while controlling other treatment variables.