Foam RollerNCT07031193
Instructional Influence: How Cueing Alters Foam Rolling Outcomes
A study testing Foam roller instructions for pain reduction and Foam rolling for range of motion improvement in people with Foam Roller, run by University of South Dakota at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Foam rolling (FR) is a common tool and procedure used in rehabilitation. Previous research has demonstrated physical improvements in range of motion and subjective reductions in pain post-intervention. Most of the literature theorizes potential biophysical reasons for these changes, but definitive studies are lacking. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 64 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Foam Roller
- What is being tested?
- Foam roller instructions for pain reduction and Foam rolling for range of motion improvement
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 31 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 64 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Fluent in English and primary language
Who cannot join
- Current musculoskeletal injury of the lower limbs for which they are receiving medical care.
- Recent surgery to the lower limbs that has not been fully released for full participation by a medical provider.
- Use of any pain-relieving medications within the last 24 hours.
- Any medical condition that limits their perception of pain.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota, 57069
About this study
Foam rolling (FR) is a common tool and procedure used in rehabilitation. Previous research has demonstrated physical improvements in range of motion and subjective reductions in pain post-intervention. Most of the literature theorizes potential biophysical reasons for these changes, but definitive studies are lacking. Another potential mechanism for these improvements may be psychological.
The purpose of this study is to explore the psychological changes that occur in response to the instructions given to the patient and how these may influence the outcomes the individual receives while undergoing FR.
Different instructions will be given for the same technique of FR to see if there are differences in changes with pain and range of motion.
Read the detailed description
Participants will receive one set of instructions that highlights the pain relieving properties of FR, while the other group will receive instructions on ability of FR to improve range of motion. Participants will be measured for range of motion and pain changes in both groups pre and post instruction and performing the identical technique of FR.
- Conditions
- Foam Roller
- Being tested
- Foam roller instructions for pain reduction, Foam rolling for range of motion improvement
- Keywords
- foam roller,, range of motion, pain
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Foam roller instructions for pain reductionProcedure or surgery
Foam rolling procedure with pain reduction instructions over hamstring muscle group
Foam rolling for range of motion improvementProcedure or surgery
Foam rolling over hamstring muscle group with range of motion improvement instructions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ROM | Active comparator | Foam rolling with instructions related to pain reduction Receives: Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction; Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvement |
| Pain | Active comparator | Foam rolling with Pain reduction instructions Receives: Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction; Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvement |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Straight leg raise Range of motion on dominate leg
Hamstring range of motion is measured with a standard goniometer on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). Participant lying supine, the examiner assists with raising the leg straight (knee at 0 degrees extension) at the hip into flexion. Measure maximal hip flexion, with no change in knee extension, posterior pelvic tilt, or lumbar spine flexion. Goniometric measurements of hamstring length will then be measured with the stationary arm in line with the lateral midline of the pelvis, the axis of the goniometer will be placed on the greater trochanter of the hip, and the movement arm will be lined up with the midline of the lateral femur to the lateral epicondyle of the ipsilateral knee.
Measured: from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day
Pain pressure threshold of the hamstring muscle group
Use of a handheld algometer to assess pain pressure threshold. Application of pressure at the middle point of the hamstring on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). The middle point is determined by the midway point measured from the ischial tuberosity and the knee joint line. Pressure is applied at a steady rate until the participant reports that the sensation of pressure changes from pressure to pain. Measurement in kg/cm2 will be recorded and the average of three measurements will be recorded.
Measured: from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jun 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion31 May 2026
- Study completion31 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Foam RollerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of South Dakota
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kory Zimney, PT, DPT, PhD, University of South Dakota
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07031193
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-25-143
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 14 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Instructional Influence: How Cueing Alters Foam Rolling Outcomes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07031193
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-25-143
- Conditions
- Foam Roller
- Keywords
- foam roller,, range of motion, pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of South DakotaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Foam rolling (FR) is a common tool and procedure used in rehabilitation. Previous research has demonstrated physical improvements in range of motion and subjective reductions in pain post-intervention. Most of the literature theorizes potential biophysical reasons for these changes, but definitive studies are lacking. Another potential mechanism for these improvements may be psychological.
The purpose of this study is to explore the psychological changes that occur in response to the instructions given to the patient and how these may influence the outcomes the individual receives while undergoing FR.
Different instructions will be given for the same technique of FR to see if there are differences in changes with pain and range of motion.
Detailed description
Participants will receive one set of instructions that highlights the pain relieving properties of FR, while the other group will receive instructions on ability of FR to improve range of motion. Participants will be measured for range of motion and pain changes in both groups pre and post instruction and performing the identical technique of FR.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ROM | Active comparator | Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction, Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvementFoam rolling with instructions related to pain reduction |
| Pain | Active comparator | Procedure: Foam roller instructions for pain reduction, Procedure: Foam rolling for range of motion improvementFoam rolling with Pain reduction instructions |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Fluent in English and primary language
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Current musculoskeletal injury of the lower limbs for which they are receiving medical care.
- Recent surgery to the lower limbs that has not been fully released for full participation by a medical provider.
- Use of any pain-relieving medications within the last 24 hours.
- Any medical condition that limits their perception of pain.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Foam roller instructions for pain reductionFoam rolling procedure with pain reduction instructions over hamstring muscle group | Procedure or surgery | Pain, ROM |
| Foam rolling for range of motion improvementFoam rolling over hamstring muscle group with range of motion improvement instructions. | Procedure or surgery | Pain, ROM |
Primary outcome
Straight leg raise Range of motion on dominate leg
Time frame: from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day
Hamstring range of motion is measured with a standard goniometer on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). Participant lying supine, the examiner assists with raising the leg straight (knee at 0 degrees extension) at the hip into flexion. Measure maximal hip flexion, with no change in knee extension, posterior pelvic tilt, or lumbar spine flexion. Goniometric measurements of hamstring length will then be measured with the stationary arm in line with the lateral midline of the pelvis, the axis of the goniometer will be placed on the greater trochanter of the hip, and the movement arm will be lined up with the midline of the lateral femur to the lateral epicondyle of the ipsilateral knee.
Pain pressure threshold of the hamstring muscle group
Time frame: from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day
Use of a handheld algometer to assess pain pressure threshold. Application of pressure at the middle point of the hamstring on the dominant leg (the leg you would prefer to kick a ball with). The middle point is determined by the midway point measured from the ischial tuberosity and the knee joint line. Pressure is applied at a steady rate until the participant reports that the sensation of pressure changes from pressure to pain. Measurement in kg/cm2 will be recorded and the average of three measurements will be recorded.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Foam Roller
Recruiting
Effect of Foam Rolling After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Total Knee Arthroplasty Recovery, Total Knee Arthroplasty Postoperative Pain
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Foam roller instructions for pain reduction and Foam rolling for range of motion improvement in people with Foam Roller, run by University of South Dakota at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Straight leg raise Range of motion on dominate leg (time frame: from enrollment to the end of the session at 1 day). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jul 2026.