NCT05429164

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Myofascial Release Techniques for the Pectoralis Minor Muscle

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (actual)
• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of self-myofascial release, myofascial release with a physiotherapist and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques for the pectoralis minor muscle on pectoralis minor muscle length, rounded shoulder posture, glenohumeral joint total rotation range of motion (ROM) and skin temperature in asymptomatic individuals.

Detailed description

In the literature, the effects of myofascial release and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) applications on individuals with pectoralis minor muscle are investigated, but the available evidence is insufficient. In a study conducted in asymptomatic individuals, self-myofascial release was found to be more effective than placebo application in increasing glenohumeral flexion joint range of motion (ROM), improving pectoralis minor length and advanced scapular posture. However, there was one study comparing the short-term effectiveness of the self-myofascial release method and IASTM methods on pectoralis minor length, glenohumeral total arch movement and skin temperature in individuals with short pectoralis minor, and the results of both applications were found to be similar. Despite these studies in the current literature, the amount of evidence examining the effectiveness of myofascial release technique performed under the guidance of a physiotherapist in individuals with short pectoralis minor is insufficient. However, the number of studies comparing the immediate and short-term effects of different myofascial release methods on the pectoralis minor muscle lengthening is few. Given the limited evidence available, different myofascial release methods may produce different short-term responses on the pectoralis minor muscle, with different results on muscle length, scapular position, glenohumeral total arch motion, and superficial skin temperature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different myofascial release techniques on pectoralis minor muscle length, rounded shoulder posture, glenohumeral joint total rotation ROM and skin temperature in asymptomatic individuals.

Conditions

• Pectoralis Minor Muscle Tension
• Muscle Shortness
• Mobility Limitation
• Forward Scapular Posture
• Rounded Shoulder Posture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Self Myofascial Release	In the self-myofascial release technique, a tennis ball will be placed on the 4th rib on the shoulder side to be applied on the wall, and the participants will be asked to move the ball using their body along the pectoralis minor.
OTHER	Myofascial Release	A slight caudal force will be applied by the physiotherapist until the pectoralis minor muscle meets the comfortable elastic limit of the soft tissue.
OTHER	Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization	Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization will be performed with the specified instruments for the pectoralis minor muscle.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-08-01
• Primary completion: 2023-08-01
• Completion: 2023-08-01
• First posted: 2022-06-23
• Last updated: 2025-04-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)