Zusammenfassung der Studie

Sixty patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) (n=30) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching (n=30). Outcomes of interest were hamstring flexibility, measured using the active knee extension test (AKET), pain intensity on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed significant improvements in all measured outcomes for both interventions, with the IASTM group showing more substantial improvements in hamstring flexibility, pain reduction, and health status. These findings suggest that IASTM may offer superior benefits over PNF stretching in managing knee osteoarthritis symptoms.