A comparative study of the efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and massage techniques in patients with patellofemoral joint pain

• Published in: Frontiers in medicine 2023-11, Vol.10, p.1305733-1305733
• Main Authors: Liu, Yang, Wang, Yidan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; manual therapy; patellofemoral pain syndrome therapy; physiotherapy; Tui-Na manipulation
• ISSN: 2296-858X; 2296-858X
• DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1305733

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and manipulative therapy Tui-na techniques in the treatment of patients with patellofemoral joint pain syndrome, and to evaluate their impact on pain relief, functional improvement, and joint range of motion.MethodsIn this study, 25 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were enrolled, comprising of an intervention group of 13 patients who received IASTM treatment and a control group of 12 patients who received Tui-na manipulation therapy. The treatment cycle lasted for 4 weeks, featuring two interventions per week. Before treatment, the visual analog pain scale (VAS) of the knee, Lysholm score of the knee, modified Thomas test (MTT), and maximum isometric strength of the extensor muscles of the lower limbs were measured and recorded for both groups. After the first and last treatments, the aforementioned indexes were reassessed, and the maximum isometric muscle strength of the lower extremity extensors was measured only after 4 weeks of treatment had been completed.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the basic information of the two intervention groups (p > 0. 05). After the first treatment and 4 weeks of treatment, the Lysholm score in both groups significantly improved (p