This study will aim to see whether a deep kneading soft tissue technique or a standing dynamic stretch technique of bilateral gastrocnemius has an effect on the degree of dorsiflexion range of movement in both ankle joints, in comparison to a control grou

Item

Title
This study will aim to see whether a deep kneading soft tissue technique or a standing dynamic stretch technique of bilateral gastrocnemius has an effect on the degree of dorsiflexion range of movement in both ankle joints, in comparison to a control grou
Author(s)
Ranpuria, S
Abstract
Background: Soft tissue techniques have been used by manual therapists as a form of treatment for decades There has been literature produced to show the relief of pain but little research to see whether techniques such as dynamic stretching and soft tissue stretching can affect dorsiflexion ROM, which could ultimately help manual therapists choice of technique. Objectives: The objective of this study is to see which intervention group (dynamic stretch group 3) or (deep kneading group 2) affects dorsiflexion ROM the most on both ankle joints on European School of Osteopathy (ESQ) students in comparison to a control group (group 1). Dorsiflexion ROM will be measured using a goniometer. Design: Randomised controlled experiment with three groups and two interventions Student participants from the ESQ were randomly allocated to three groups by picking three numbers out of a hat. The three groups were then run simultaneously and pre and post- intervention degree of dorsiflexion measurements were recorded. Methods: Fifty one ESQ students participated, seventeen in each group. Three ESQ students participated each time. Pre-ROM intervention results were recorded, then all interventions (group 2,3 and control) simultaneously commenced. Group 3 did a standing dynamic stretch for 60 seconds, and the deep kneading was done by the researcher for two minutes (one minute on each gastrocnemius). The control group sat on a chair for two minutes normally. The post-dorsifiexion ROM was then measured using a goniometer, These groups were then compared against the control group. Results: Results show that group 3 (dynamic stretch group) had the largest significant change in dorsiflexion ROM, Group 1 showed the lowest significant change in dorsiflexion ROM. A Kruskal Wallis test was used to test the medians of the data sets for left and right foot. This gave P values of 0.0001 for the right foot; and 0.0001 for the left foot. Discussion: There is a lot of research in the field of increasing joint movement. Researchers use a number of techniques which include Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Muscle Energy Technique (MET), and ballistic stretching There is not much research into finding a technique which can increase ankle joint movement, and comparing the results with another intervention conducted simultaneously by the same researcher. Conclusion: Dynamic stretching showed the largest significant change in ankle joint ROM in both ankles Dynamic stretching also reported the greatest mean difference change in dorsiflexion ROM in the post intervention group. This was then followed by the deep kneading, with the control group coming last. The null hypothesis can be rejected as there was a significant change in dorsi flexion ROM in the deep kneading and dynamic stretch groups. However, further research needs to be carried out in this field as this study had a small number of participants per group.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2016
Date Submitted
2.12.2016 17:29:04
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15958
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Ankle ROM, Soft tissue treatment, Dynamic stretch.
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Ranpuria, S, “This study will aim to see whether a deep kneading soft tissue technique or a standing dynamic stretch technique of bilateral gastrocnemius has an effect on the degree of dorsiflexion range of movement in both ankle joints, in comparison to a control grou”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/523