Exploring Force Production Reliability Across Different Levels of Clinical Experience During a Simulated One-handed Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Treatment: A Pilot Study

Overview

Journal Int J Sports Phys Ther

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2022 Oct 14

PMID 36237661

Authors

Moni Syeda

Jason Bartholomew

Shayane Valenzuela Santiago

Ashley J Reeves

Nickolai Jp Martonick

Scott W Cheatham

Russell T Baker Jr

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a commonly utilized intervention for musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. However, little is known regarding the reliability of forces applied by clinicians of different experience levels during an IASTM intervention.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess intra-clinician reliability of IASTM force (i.e., mean normal force) during a simulated, one-handed stroke IASTM intervention across different levels of IASTM clinical experience.

Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods: The researchers conducted a repeated measures trial in a laboratory setting with a convenience sample of ten participants who had previously completed professional IASTM training. Participants performed 15 one-handed sweeping strokes with an IASTM instrument on a skin simulant attached to a force plate for a standardized hypothetical treatment scenario. The participants performed the treatment on two separate days, 24-48 hours apart. The researchers examined the intra-rater reliability for average (mean) normal forces using Bland-Altman (BA) plots and Coefficient of Variation (CV) values.

Results: The BA plot results indicated all participants (professional athletic training students = 4, athletic trainers = 6; males = 5, females = 5; age = 32.60 ± 8.71 y; IASTM experience = 3.78 ± 4.10 y), except participant D (1.9N, 190g), were consistently reliable within 1N (100g) or less of force for mean differences and within the maximum limits of agreement around 3.7N (370g). Most participants' CV scores ranged between 8 to 20% supporting reliable force application within each treatment session.

Conclusion: The data indicated that IASTM trained clinicians could produce consistent forces within and across treatment sessions irrespective of clinical experience.

Level Of Evidence: 3.

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