Effect of instrument type and one-handed versus two-handed grips on force application during simulated instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine whether the forces used by trained clinicians during a simulated instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) treatment varied across five different instruments during one-handed and two-handed IASTM grips.Methods Nine athletic trainers who previously completed IASTM training and used the technique in professional practice were included in the study. A skin simulant was attached to a force plate and used to evaluate force production during a simulated IASTM treatment scenario. Peak (F-peak) and mean (F-mean) forces were recorded for both one-handed and two-handed grips for each participant across the five instruments. Data were analysed using separate 2 (grip type) x 5 (IASTM instrument) repeated measures analysis of variance for both F-peak and F-mean.Results Data for F-peak demonstrated a significant main effect for grip type (F-(1,F- 8)=46.39, p<0.001, ?p2 =0.34), instrument (F-(4,F- 32)=4.61, p=0.005, ?p2 =0.06) and interaction (F-(2,F- 16)=10.23, p=0.001, ?p2 =0.07). For F-mean, there was also a statistically significant main effect for grip type (F-(1,F- 8)=60.47, p<0.001, ?p2 =0.32), instrument (F-(4,F- 32)=4.03, p=0.009, ?p2 =0.06) and interaction (F-(2,F- 19)=7.92, p=0.002, ?p2 =0.06).Conclusions Clinicians produced greater IASTM forces when applying a two-handed grip than a one-handed grip. Instrument weight may matter less than instrument shape, size and bevelling for influencing force production as instrument length appears to influence force production when using one-handed or two-handed grips. Although the effects of IASTM force variation on patient outcomes remains unknown, these findings may be considered by clinicians when making instrument and grip choices.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the forces used by trained clinicians during a simulated IASTM treatment varied across five different instruments during one-handed and two-handed grips. The results showed that clinicians produced greater forces in IASTM when applying a two-handed grip. For influencing force production, instrument weight may matter less than instrument shape, size, and bevelling. These findings can be considered by clinicians when choosing instruments and grips.