Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27713575›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association2016

The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: a systematic review.

Scott W Cheatham, Matt Lee, Matt Cain, Russell Baker

4 registry-linked trialsAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 4 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 53 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
53citing papers in PubMed, 4 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT05849545 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Comparing the Effects of the Graston Tool and Neuromuscular Reeducation in Reducing Cervical Headache.

TypeinterventionalSponsorHealth Education Research Foundation (HERF)Ran2021 to 2021Enrolled30ConditionsCervicogenic HeadacheArmsGarston tool, Neuromuscular Re-education
NCT06197971 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Comparative Effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization and Therapeutic Cupping on Hamstring Tightness Among Football Players

TypeinterventionalSponsorRiphah International UniversityRan2023 to 2024Enrolled30ConditionsFlexibility, Hamstring Tightness, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Range of MotionArmsInstrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, Therapeutic Cupping Technique
NCT06309901 completednot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

Comparison of Facial Distortion Model and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Techniques After Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair

TypeobservationalSponsorAnkara Yildirim Beyazıt UniversityRan2019 to 2022Enrolled33ConditionsMeniscus InjuryArmsExercise, Fascial Distortion Model, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation
NCT06986317 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of Positional Release Techniques and Graston Technique In Trapezius Trigger Point

TypeinterventionalSponsorElite College of Management Sciences, Gujranwala, PakistanRan2025 to 2025Enrolled34ConditionsTrigger Point Pain, MyofascialArmsPositional release techniques, Graston technique
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

53 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  10. Soft Tissue Mobilization and Stretching for Shoulder in CrossFitters: A Randomized Pilot Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Scott W CheathamDivision of Kinesiology, California State University Dominguez Hills.
Matt LeeOhloneCollege.
Matt CainDivision of Kinesiology, California State University Dominguez Hills.
Russell BakerDepartment of Movement Sciences, University of Idaho.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInstrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a popular treatment for myofascial restriction. IASTM uses specially designed instruments to provide a mobilizing effect to scar tissue and myofascial adhesions. Several IASTM tools and techniques are available such as the Graston® technique. Currently, there are no systematic reviews that have specifically appraised the effects of IASTM as a treatment or to enhance joint range of motion (ROM). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to systematically appraise the current evidence assessing the effects of IASTM as an intervention to treat a musculoskeletal pathology or to enhance joint ROM.

methodsA search of the literature was conducted during the month of December 2015 which included the following databases: PubMed, PEDro, Science Direct, and the EBSCOhost collection. A direct search of known journals was also conducted to identify potential publications. The search terms included individual or a combination of the following: instrument; assisted; augmented; soft-tissue; mobilization; Graston®; and technique.

resultsA total of 7 randomized controlled trials were appraised. Five of the studies measured an IASTM intervention versus a control or alternate intervention group for a musculoskeletal pathology. The results of the studies were insignificant (p>.05) with both groups displaying equal outcomes. Two studies measured an IASTM intervention versus a control or alternate intervention group on the effects of joint ROM. The IASTM intervention produced significant (P<.05) short term gains up to 24 hours.

conclusionThe literature measuring the effects of IASTM is still emerging. The current research has indicated insignificant results which challenges the efficacy of IASTM as a treatment for common musculoskeletal pathology, which may be due to the methodological variability among studies. There appears to be some evidence supporting its ability to increase short term joint ROM.

Indexed as

chiropractic, Graston®massagemyofascial

Identifiers

PMID27713575
PMCPMC5039777

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.