Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT

Background: Chronic neck pain, affecting nearly 50% of the global population annually, is a significant global burden. While Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization (IASTM) has shown effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal injuries, there is a scarcity of evidence comparing it with Manual Myo...

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Main Authors: Zoha Sabir, Sana Bashir, Qurat ul Ain Saeed, Sameera Gul, Syeda Sumaira Batool
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International University 2025-03-01
Series:Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences
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Online Access:https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2040
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author Zoha Sabir
Sana Bashir
Qurat ul Ain Saeed
Sameera Gul
Syeda Sumaira Batool
author_facet Zoha Sabir
Sana Bashir
Qurat ul Ain Saeed
Sameera Gul
Syeda Sumaira Batool
author_sort Zoha Sabir
collection DOAJ
description Background: Chronic neck pain, affecting nearly 50% of the global population annually, is a significant global burden. While Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization (IASTM) has shown effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal injuries, there is a scarcity of evidence comparing it with Manual Myofascial Release (MMFR). Objective: To compare IASTM with Manual Myofascial Release in terms of pain, disability, and cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain. Methodology: This randomized control trial (RCT) included 30 participants 18-45 years of age with chronic neck pain from Foundation University College of Physical Therapy and Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. Out of the total 30 participants, 15 were randomly allocated to each group using coin toss method: experimental group (IASTM with stretching) and control group (Manual Myofascial Release with stretching). Informed consent, demographic and anthropometric data were taken. Participants were assessed at the baseline and post assessment was done lastly after the 6th session. The primary outcome measuring tools were Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and universal goniometer for measuring pain, neck function and cervical range of motion respectively. Results:  Among 30 participants (70% females, 30% males) with chronic neck pain lasting nearly 12 months, inter-group analysis revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) between IASTM and Manual Myofascial Release for NPRS, NDI, and Cervical Range of Motion, except for cervical rotation to the right. Intra-group analysis indicated both techniques had a significant impact (p<0.001). Conclusion: Manual Myofascial Release and Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization are equally effective in treating patients with chronic neck pain in terms of pain, neck function and cervical range of motion. Keywords: Myofascial Release, Neck pain, Neck Disability Index.
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spelling doaj-art-c281d095d8464afaa2c47ce8dc86608e2025-08-20T02:26:37ZengFaculty of Rehabilitation & Allied health sciences, Riphah International UniversityJournal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences2226-92152410-888X2025-03-011312437Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCTZoha Sabir0Sana Bashir1Qurat ul Ain Saeed2Sameera Gul3Syeda Sumaira Batool4Demonstrator, Foundation University College of Physical TherapyAssistant Professor at Foundation University College of Physical TherapySenior Lecturer at Foundation University College of Physical TherapyStudent at Foundation University College of Physical TherapyLecturer at Foundation University College of Physical TherapyBackground: Chronic neck pain, affecting nearly 50% of the global population annually, is a significant global burden. While Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization (IASTM) has shown effectiveness in treating musculoskeletal injuries, there is a scarcity of evidence comparing it with Manual Myofascial Release (MMFR). Objective: To compare IASTM with Manual Myofascial Release in terms of pain, disability, and cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain. Methodology: This randomized control trial (RCT) included 30 participants 18-45 years of age with chronic neck pain from Foundation University College of Physical Therapy and Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. Out of the total 30 participants, 15 were randomly allocated to each group using coin toss method: experimental group (IASTM with stretching) and control group (Manual Myofascial Release with stretching). Informed consent, demographic and anthropometric data were taken. Participants were assessed at the baseline and post assessment was done lastly after the 6th session. The primary outcome measuring tools were Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and universal goniometer for measuring pain, neck function and cervical range of motion respectively. Results:  Among 30 participants (70% females, 30% males) with chronic neck pain lasting nearly 12 months, inter-group analysis revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) between IASTM and Manual Myofascial Release for NPRS, NDI, and Cervical Range of Motion, except for cervical rotation to the right. Intra-group analysis indicated both techniques had a significant impact (p<0.001). Conclusion: Manual Myofascial Release and Instrument Assisted Soft-tissue Mobilization are equally effective in treating patients with chronic neck pain in terms of pain, neck function and cervical range of motion. Keywords: Myofascial Release, Neck pain, Neck Disability Index.https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2040instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, neck pain
spellingShingle Zoha Sabir
Sana Bashir
Qurat ul Ain Saeed
Sameera Gul
Syeda Sumaira Batool
Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
Journal Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences
instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, neck pain
title Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
title_full Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
title_short Effectiveness of Manual Myofascial Release versus Instrument assisted soft tissue Mobilization (IASTM) in patients with chronic neck pain - RCT
title_sort effectiveness of manual myofascial release versus instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization iastm in patients with chronic neck pain rct
topic instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, neck pain
url https://journals.riphah.edu.pk/index.php/jrcrs/article/view/2040
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