Immediate Effects of Kinesiotaping Versus Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Fascial Line over Hamstring Area for Superficial Back Line Flexibility in Young Adults - A Single- Blinded Randomized Control Trial

Purpose Hamstring tightness, a prevalent problem, affects Fascia and hence the whole Superficial Back line. This affects the whole Fascia line Flexibility and can cause problems distally. Hence, there is a need for effective treatment for Fascial disorders. Kinesiotaping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) are commonly used for the treatment.  Methods A single-blinded randomized control trial with a total of 90 healthy participants was included into two groups, IASTM (n=45) and Kinesiotaping (n=45). Each group was given a treatment of 15 minutes and all participants were assessed with the Fingertip to Floor test, Passive Straight Leg Raise and the Active Knee Extension test pre and immediately post- treatment.  Results Using a paired t-test, inter-group analysis was done where both groups, IASTM and Kinesiotaping, showed a significant difference (p≤0.05) in all the outcome measures, while intra-group analysis showed that the group treated with IASTM showed a significant difference only in the Passive Straight leg Raise and Active Knee Extension (p≤0.05).  Conclusion Instrument-assisted soft Tissue Mobilization was superior to Kinesiotaping in young adults. It showed a significant difference in improving the passive Straight Leg Raise and Active knee extension test, but not for the Fingertip to Floor test. Both Kinesiotaping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization were effective in improving Superficial Back Line Flexibility when applied over the Hamstring area.