Acute and Residual Effects of IASTM and Roller Massage Stick on Hamstring Range of Motion

Fascial adhesions can reduce range of motion (ROM). Different techniques of varying costs have been studied to release these adhesions and restore normal ROM, but none have compared instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) with a roller massage stick. The objective was to compare the acute and residual effects of IASTM and a roller massage stick on active and passive hamstring ROM after a single treatment.

Prospective cohort study in a university laboratory.

Sixteen (8M, 8F) recreationally active individuals (age 23.38±2.45 yrs). IASTM using Graston instruments and a roller massage stick were randomly applied to the hamstrings of the dominant or non-dominant leg for 3.5 minutes. Active and passive ROM were measured pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 48-hrs post-intervention.

There was a main effect for time showing a significant increase in active and passive ROM from pre-intervention to immediate post-intervention (p<0.05) and from pre-intervention to 48-hr post-intervention (p<0.05). However, no interaction effect between treatment and time was found in either active or passive ROM (p>0.05).

IASTM and the roller massage stick were equally effective immediately and over time, but the roller massage stick is more affordable.