Randomized trial compares IASTM and sham treatment effects on neck pain in office workers, suggesting IASTM is more effective.
Key Points
This research aims to compare the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) to sham treatment in alleviating symptoms of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius.
Single-blinded randomized controlled study among 20 office workers with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points
Participants randomly assigned to IASTM or sham treatment groups
Pain intensity and neck disability measured using VAS and NDI before and after interventions.
IASTM group showed a greater reduction in NDI from 11.80 to 0.60 versus sham from 11.40 to 7.80 (p<0.001)
VAS in IASTM group decreased from 5.40 to 0.80 compared to sham from 5.20 to 3.10 (p<0.001)
Post-treatment comparisons revealed significantly greater improvements in both neck disability and pain intensity in the IASTM group (p<0.001).