Percussive Therapy vs Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

NCT ID: NCT06987162

Last Updated: 2025-07-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 52 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2025-09-20

Brief Summary

This study compares percussive therapy and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) for chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Percussive therapy uses handheld devices for rapid pressure pulses to promote muscle relaxation and pain relief. IASTM employs specialized tools to massage tissues, break down scar tissue, and enhance flexibility and blood flow. The research aims to assess their effects on pain reduction, muscle flexibility, and functional improvement in CNSLBP patients.

Detailed Description

This study will be a randomized Clinical trial in which 52 sample size will be taken. This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of Percussive Therapy (PT) and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) on pain, muscle flexibility, and function in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain at Riphah International University, Pakistan. Using a Non probability convenient sampling method, participants aged 18-50 years with chronic non-specific low back pain will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. In both groups the warm-up sessions included arm circular movements with eight repetitions forward and eight repetitions backward, while standing on the feet the subjects were asked to stand on wide-based feet and move the right and left arm forward in a swing way in a circular motion, and that backward They will be equally divided into two groups using a random number generator table. Group A will receive Percussive Therapy, while Group B will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. These exercises will continue for 4 weeks, 4 days per week. Outcome measures, including the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional impairment, Sit and Reach Test for back flexibility, will be assessed at baseline and after four weeks of intervention.

Ethical approval will be obtained from the Ethical Committee of Riphah International University, and informed consent will be secured from all participants. The primary outcomes will focus on pain intensity and functional disability, while secondary outcomes will include muscle flexibility and spinal mobility. Data analysis will be performed using SPSS version 25.

The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the comparative efficacy of these manual therapy techniques, informing clinical practice and improving patient outcomes in the management of chronic non-specific low back pain.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Percussive Therapy

PT will be performed by the same researcher using a hand-held massage gun, tapping at a frequency of 30 Hz (rotational speed 1800 rpm/min) with a flat massage head. Each percussive massage session will last for 15 minutes. This frequency of 30 Hz is chosen based on its effectiveness for myofascial release and previous studies have indicated that a 15-minute duration of back massage is beneficial

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Percussive Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

PT will be performed by the same researcher using a hand-held massage gun, tapping at a frequency of 30 Hz (rotational speed 1800 rpm/min) with a flat massage head. Each percussive massage session will last for 15 minutes. This frequency of 30 Hz is chosen based on its effectiveness for myofascial release and previous studies have indicated that a 15-minute duration of back massage is beneficial

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

The Graston group performed as IASTM during 4 weeks. After warmup session, Friction free oil or gel was used to facilitate the device to move over the skin. Gua Sha tools were used. The instrument was kept at 45°, moved over the skin from cranial to caudal for 40-120 Sec on the back, while patients were lying in the prone position.The mobilization with sweeping strokes followed by fanning strokes were applied over the Erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, scrolling the device on the muscle belly from the posterior fascia and sacrum.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Intervention Type: OTHER

The Graston group performed as IASTM during 4 weeks. After warmup session, Friction free oil or gel was used to facilitate the device to move over the skin. Gua Sha tools were used. The instrument was kept at 45°, moved over the skin from cranial to caudal for 40-120 Sec on the back, while patients were lying in the prone position.The mobilization with sweeping strokes followed by fanning strokes were applied over the Erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, scrolling the device on the muscle belly from the posterior fascia and sacrum.

Interventions

Percussive Therapy

PT will be performed by the same researcher using a hand-held massage gun, tapping at a frequency of 30 Hz (rotational speed 1800 rpm/min) with a flat massage head. Each percussive massage session will last for 15 minutes. This frequency of 30 Hz is chosen based on its effectiveness for myofascial release and previous studies have indicated that a 15-minute duration of back massage is beneficial

Intervention Type: OTHER

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

The Graston group performed as IASTM during 4 weeks. After warmup session, Friction free oil or gel was used to facilitate the device to move over the skin. Gua Sha tools were used. The instrument was kept at 45°, moved over the skin from cranial to caudal for 40-120 Sec on the back, while patients were lying in the prone position.The mobilization with sweeping strokes followed by fanning strokes were applied over the Erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, scrolling the device on the muscle belly from the posterior fascia and sacrum.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age Range of 18 To 50 Years.
• Presence of Chronic Low Back Pain for more than 3 months
• Pain level according to Visual Analogue Scale greater or equal to 3

Exclusion Criteria

• Trauma History: Patients with A History of Trauma Were Excluded
• Diabetic Patients
• Recent History of Trauma
• Any Neurological or Musculoskeletal Disorder of the Upper Limb/Lower Limb Osteoporosis
• Lumbar Compression Fracture
• Spondylolisthesis; Spondylosis; Spinal Deformities; History of Spinal Surgeries

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Samrood Akram, Phd Scholar

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Zafar Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Hamad Ali, MS Student

Role: CONTACT

drhamadali4@gmail.com

03001890197

Samrood Akram, Phd Scholar

Role: CONTACT

samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk

03324806143

Facility Contacts

Syed Muhammad Faizan, MS

Role: primary

smfaizan4@gmail.com

03234978485

References

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Reference Type: BACKGROUND

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Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Mansuri U, Patel SJIJSR. Effectiveness of Theragun and ergonomic advice in patients with low back pain among bus drivers-A randomized controlled trial. 2021;10(4):50-3.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Jain P, Saharan AK, Vishnoi CS, Bhati MPS, Sharma PJGAR, Reviews. Single IASTM and cupping therapy session improves pain and disability in patients with non-specific low back pain. 2022;11(3):045-50.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Johnson S. The Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2023.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Grase M, Elhafez HM, Abdellatif MM, Genedi AF, Mahmoud MAJPQ. Effect of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization versus kinesiotape for chronic mechanical low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. 2023;31(2):27-33.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Çakmak Ö, Atıcı E, Gülşen MJTFvRD. The effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and kinesio taping on pain, functional disability and depression in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. 2022;33(3):179-86.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

Other Identifiers

REC/RCR & AHS/24/0174 Hamad

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id