NCT07244913

Therapeutic Effects of Instrument-assisted Versus Sound-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Therapeutic Effects of Instrument-assisted Versus Sound-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Among Patients With Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Lahore · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the most common medical problem observed among musculoskeletal pain and spinal pain problems. It can reduce the movements due to muscular imbalances, decreased activity of daily living, and effects on health-related quality of life. It is the major cause of activity limitation, work absence, and reported clinical issues. Most of the cases of low back pain remained undiagnosed and received only symptomatic management.

Detailed description

There is limited literature on advanced soft tissue release techniques provided by primary healthcare practitioners specific to low back pain. Some of the studies are based on soft tissue mobilization using a mechanically assisted method, but they have limited outcomes, acute effects, and small sample sizes, which limit their generalization. Further literature is limited in the comparison of IASTM and SASTM. Further, there are limited techniques that can facilitate practitioners to identify the restrictions. Firstly, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), due to its body contour and shape, recognizes specific tissue lesions and restriction sites while targeting specific points rather than using manual methods that cover a larger contact area. Using the mechanotransduction phenomenon, its mechanical stimuli initiate biochemical signals that trigger cellular responses and ultimately functional improvement. Biomechanically, fascial elasticity, fascial stiffness, and viscosity absorb and distribute forces. While tissue hydration level is increased, that is compromised in chronic low back pain. Secondly, sound-assisted soft tissue mobilization could be an intervention for treating musculoskeletal disorders. The SASTM technique has the potential to be a game-changer in pain management after IASTM. The sound decreases as adhesions are broken. While breakdown of scar tissue can be a facilitator for ease of movement patterns.

Conditions

• Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
• Pelvic Obliquity
• Hamstring Flexibility
• Physical Function
• Disability
• Lumbar Flexibility

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	SASTM	The therapist will apply sound instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (SASTM) with a convex plastic (Ceramic) tool (Beer JA, 2019).
DEVICE	IASTM	The IASTM technique contains a protocol for treatment that contains five components: i. Examination, ii. warm-up exercises 5 min iii. IASTM treatment (e.g., 30-60 seconds per session), iv. Post treatment stretching and strengthening, v. Icing (only when sub-acute inflammation is of concern).
OTHER	Exercise	In conventional therapy, patients will be given an exercise program that will be targeted to low back muscles. This will be include three type of exercise focusing on stretching, strengthening and postural correction exercise.(Yana et al., 2024)

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-23
• Primary completion: 2026-05-09
• Completion: 2026-06-04
• First posted: 2025-11-24
• Last updated: 2026-01-02

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Pakistan

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study