NCT07293702

IASTM Effects on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Subacromial Impingement

**Effect of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain, Functionality, and Proprioception in Individuals With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome**

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 38 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS).

Detailed description

The aim of this study will be to investigate the effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), applied in addition to a conventional exercise program, on pain, range of motion, proprioception, functionality, and quality of life in individuals with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS). A total of 38 participants will be included in the study and will be randomly assigned to either the Conventional Exercise Group or the IASTM Group. Both groups will receive treatment for 4 weeks, three sessions per week, for a total of 12 sessions. Before the intervention, both groups will be assessed for pain (VAS), range of motion (goniometer), joint position sense (goniometer), functionality (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand - DASH), and quality of life (Rotator Cuff Quality of Life - RC-QoL).

Conditions

• Subacromial Impingement Syndrome
• Massage
• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Soft Tissue Injuries

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Conventional exercise group	All participants will receive a standardized electrotherapy program in a clinical setting, consisting of TENS (100 Hz, 30 minutes), ultrasound (1.5 W/cm², 8 minutes), and a 15-minute cold-pack application, delivered three times per week for four weeks. In addition to electrotherapy, participants in the conventional exercise group will perform a physiotherapist-guided exercise program aimed at improving shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation through stretching and range-of-motion exercises. The program will include Codman exercises, wand exercises, finger-ladder activities, and condition-appropriate strengthening exercises, progressed according to each participant's pain level and tolerance.
OTHER	IASTM group	Participants in the IASTM group will receive Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in addition to the conventional treatment program, three days per week for four weeks, for a total of 12 sessions. The IASTM technique will be applied to the subscapularis, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, upper trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles. For each muscle group, the treatment will be administered for 20 seconds in a parallel direction and 20 seconds in a perpendicular direction, using sweep and brush techniques at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-25
• Primary completion: 2026-05-10
• Completion: 2026-05-20
• First posted: 2025-12-19
• Last updated: 2026-03-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)