CONTEXT: Restricted dorsiflexion (DF) at the ankle joint can cause acute and chronic injuries at the ankle and knee. Myofascial release and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques have been used to increase range of motion (ROM); however, evidence directly comparing their effectiveness is limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a single session of compressive myofascial release (CMR) or IASTM using the Graston technique (GT) on closed chain ankle-DF ROM. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 44 physically active people (53 limbs) with less than 30 degrees of DF. INTERVENTION(S): Limbs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: control, CMR, or GT. Both treatment groups received one 5-minute treatment that included scanning the area and treating specific restrictions. The control group sat for 5 minutes before measurements were retaken. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Standing and kneeling ankle DF were measured before and immediately after treatment. Change scores were calculated for both positions, and two 1-way analyses of variance were conducted. RESULTS: A difference between groups was found in the standing (F[2,52] = 13.78, p = 0.001) and kneeling (F[2,52] = 5.85, p = 0.01) positions. Post hoc testing showed DF improvements in the standing position after CMR compared with the GT and control groups (both p = 0.001). In the kneeling position, DF improved after CMR compared with the control group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Compressive myofascial release increased ankle DF after a single treatment in participants with DF ROM deficits. Clinicians should consider adding CMR as a treatment intervention for patients with DF deficits.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PubMed Central
• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher