Trial reportThe Journal of manual & manipulative therapy2026
Effects of a two-week instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and exercise therapy versus sham and exercise on gait kinetics in moderate knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common joint disease that affects mobility and daily activities. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is widely used as a conservative treatment due to its potential effects on soft tissues. This study evaluates the effects of IASTM on pain, range of motion (ROM), health status, and gait kinetics in KOA patients.
methodsThirty individuals with unilateral KOA were randomized into two groups: IASTM with routine exercises and sham IASTM with exercises, over four sessions in two weeks. Pain, ROM, and WOMAC scores were assessed pre-treatment and 48 hours post-treatment. Gait kinetics, including vertical ground reaction force and knee adduction moment, were measured at three walking speeds (preferred, fixed, and fast) before and after treatment.
resultsMixed ANOVA revealed significant improvements in pain, ROM, and WOMAC scores in both groups. The IASTM group showed greater improvements in pain, knee flexion, ankle plantarflexion, and WOMAC pain scores, as indicated by a significant group*time interaction. For kinetics, the only significant finding was a longer time to heel strike transient in the IASTM group. At fast speed, most kinetic variables increased significantly in both groups.
conclusionBoth IASTM and sham interventions with exercise improved pain and ROM. However, the IASTM group experienced greater improvements. Additionally, IASTM led to a longer time to heel strike transient, suggesting improved shock absorption. Overall, IASTM may serve as a beneficial adjunctive intervention for alleviating symptoms in KOA patients and improving gait under challenging conditions, such as fast-speed walking.
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