Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a popular treatment for myofascial restriction based on the logic developed by James Cyriax. IASTM is applied using specially designed instruments to provide a mobilizing effect on soft tissue (eg scar tissue, myofascial adhesion) to reduce pain, improve joint range of motion and function. IASTM can help improve fibroblast proliferation and promote normal collagen sequencing, however, there is no enough study evaluating the results of IASTM use in patients with frozen shoulders in the literature. This study aimed to determine the effects of IASTM in combination with exercise in the treatment of frozen shoulder. Therefore, it was hypothesized that exercise programme combined with IASTM are more effective in improving pain, range of motion (ROM), and functionality than are the exercise programme alone.
This study aimed to determine the effects of IASTM in combination with exercise in frozen shoulder. Thirty-five patients with phase II frozen shoulder included in this single-blind, randomized study. Patients were divided into two groups. In the first group exercise programme (Group 1) and in the second group IASTM in combination with exercise programme (Group 2) were applied for twelve sessions (two days per week for six week). The primary outcome was the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and secondary outcomes were the visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of motion (ROM), The Constant score and Short- Form-36 (SF-36). Outcome measures were performed at baseline, after the 6th session and the 12th session.