Healthy Individuals With Hamstring TightnessNCT07096076
The Immediate Effects Of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition And Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition
A study testing Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition, Suboccipital inhibition group and hamstring stretching in people with Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness, run by Bulent Ecevit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of two self-myofascial release techniques-suboccipital muscle inhibition and thoracolumbal fascia inhibition-on hamstring flexibility, spinal range of motion, and balance in healthy adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness
- What is being tested?
- Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition, Suboccipital inhibition group and hamstring stretching
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 75 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 28 Mar 2025to 26 Jun 2025
- 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 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25
- Hamstring muscle tightness as defined by Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) ≥ 20°
- Ability to follow study instructions and provide informed consent
- No participation in other clinical studies within the last 3 months
Who cannot join
- AKET < 20° (i.e., no hamstring tightness)
- History of musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic diseases affecting balance or flexibility
- Recent injury or surgery involving the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities
- Use of medications affecting muscle tone or balance
- Inability to perform the required movements or assessments
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit Üniversity
Kozlu, Zonguldak Province, 67600
About this study
Official title: Comparison of The Immediate Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition on Cervical and Lumbar Joint Range of Motion, Flexibility of Back Extensors and Hamstring Muscles, Functional Exercise Capacity, and Balance In Individuals With Hamstring Shortness
This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of two self-myofascial release techniques-suboccipital muscle inhibition and thoracolumbal fascia inhibition-on hamstring flexibility, spinal range of motion, and balance in healthy adults. A total of 75 participants with hamstring tightness were randomly assigned to one of three groups: suboccipital inhibition, thoracolumbal inhibition, or control. All participants performed hamstring stretching, and the intervention groups received one of the inhibition techniques immediately after. Outcomes were measured at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention. The study found that both techniques led to significant improvements in hamstring flexibility and spinal mobility, with region-specific benefits. The thoracolumbal technique was more effective for trunk and hamstring flexibility, while the suboccipital technique provided greater cervical mobility gains. Balance improvements were limited. These findings support the use of targeted myofascial interventions in clinical practice.
- Being tested
- Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition, Suboccipital inhibition group, hamstring stretching
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Thoracolumbar fascia inhibitionOther
Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie on their backs without a pillow in a hook-lying position, placing a foam roller under the inferior part of the scapula and clasping their hands behind the cervical region. Then, they will be instructed to lift their hips off the ground and roll the foam roller in a cranial and caudal direction from the inferior scapular region to the sacral area for 30 seconds, performing flexion and extension movements with their knees. This application will be performed in a total of 4 sets.
Suboccipital inhibition groupOther
Soft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie in a supine position on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and by dorsiflexing the ankle, they will pull the extended leg toward themselves. This position should be maintained for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not flex during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.
hamstring stretchingOther
Participants performed passive hamstring stretching using a sheet for self-assistance. Participants will be asked to lie supine on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and performing ankle dorsiflexion, they will pull the leg-kept in knee extension-toward themselves. This position should be held for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not move into flexion during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: hamstring stretching |
| Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition; Other: hamstring stretching |
| Suboccipital inhibition group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Suboccipital inhibition group; Other: hamstring stretching |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Cervical Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Change in Finger-to-Floor Distance from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Finger-to-Floor Distance was used to assess hamstring flexibility. Measurements were taken pre-intervention and within 30 minutes following the intervention.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Change in Y Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention
The Y Balance Test was used to assess dynamic balance, with participants reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while standing on one leg. The average reach distance in centimeters (cm) was recorded for each direction.
The test was administered at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention to assess immediate changes in balance performance.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Change in Active Knee Extension Angle (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Active Knee Extension Test (AKET): Degree of knee extension measured using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater flexibility.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Change in The Stork Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention
The Stork Balance Test was used to evaluate static balance by measuring how long (in seconds) a participant could maintain a balanced stance on one leg.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Change in Lumbal Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Lumbal range of motion (flexion, extension) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.
Measured: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2025
- Study start28 Mar 2025
- Primary completion2 Jun 2025
- Study completion26 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy Individuals With Hamstring TightnessStudies 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bulent Ecevit University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sanem ŞENER, Bulent Ecevit University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07096076
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NCTHamstring-shortness
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All procedures involving human participants were conducted in accordance with ethical standards. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the study. Data other than the participants' personal information (e.g., pre- and post-intervention muscle flexibility measurements) were used solely for research purposes. Participant privacy and confidentiality were strictly protected throughout the study.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of The Immediate Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Inhibition and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition on Cervical and Lumbar Joint Range of Motion, Flexibility of Back Extensors and Hamstring Muscles, Functional Exercise Capacity, and Balance In Individuals With Hamstring Shortness
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07096076
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NCTHamstring-shortness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 75 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Bulent Ecevit UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 31 Jul 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.
This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of two self-myofascial release techniques-suboccipital muscle inhibition and thoracolumbal fascia inhibition-on hamstring flexibility, spinal range of motion, and balance in healthy adults. A total of 75 participants with hamstring tightness were randomly assigned to one of three groups: suboccipital inhibition, thoracolumbal inhibition, or control. All participants performed hamstring stretching, and the intervention groups received one of the inhibition techniques immediately after. Outcomes were measured at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention. The study found that both techniques led to significant improvements in hamstring flexibility and spinal mobility, with region-specific benefits. The thoracolumbal technique was more effective for trunk and hamstring flexibility, while the suboccipital technique provided greater cervical mobility gains. Balance improvements were limited. These findings support the use of targeted myofascial interventions in clinical practice.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: hamstring stretching |
| Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group | Experimental | Other: Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition, Other: hamstring stretching |
| Suboccipital inhibition group | Experimental | Other: Suboccipital inhibition group, Other: hamstring stretching |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25
- Hamstring muscle tightness as defined by Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) ≥ 20°
- Ability to follow study instructions and provide informed consent
- No participation in other clinical studies within the last 3 months
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- AKET < 20° (i.e., no hamstring tightness)
- History of musculoskeletal, neurological, or systemic diseases affecting balance or flexibility
- Recent injury or surgery involving the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities
- Use of medications affecting muscle tone or balance
- Inability to perform the required movements or assessments
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Thoracolumbar fascia inhibitionSoft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie on their backs without a pillow in a hook-lying position, placing a foam roller under the inferior part of the scapula and clasping their hands behind the cervical region. Then, they will be instructed to lift their hips off the ground and roll the foam roller in a cranial and caudal direction from the inferior scapular region to the sacral area for 30 seconds, performing flexion and extension movements with their knees. This application will be performed in a total of 4 sets. | Other | Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group |
| Suboccipital inhibition groupSoft tissue mobilization: Participants will be asked to lie in a supine position on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and by dorsiflexing the ankle, they will pull the extended leg toward themselves. This position should be maintained for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not flex during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally. | Other | Suboccipital inhibition group |
| hamstring stretchingParticipants performed passive hamstring stretching using a sheet for self-assistance. Participants will be asked to lie supine on an appropriate surface and keep their knees in extension. Then, they will be instructed to hold both ends of a sheet and place the middle part of the sheet on the plantar surface of one foot. Using the sheet and performing ankle dorsiflexion, they will pull the leg-kept in knee extension-toward themselves. This position should be held for 30 seconds (8). It is important that the opposite knee does not move into flexion during the exercise. The application will be performed bilaterally. | Other | Control Group, Suboccipital inhibition group, Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition group |
Primary outcome
Change in Cervical Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.
Change in Finger-to-Floor Distance from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Finger-to-Floor Distance was used to assess hamstring flexibility. Measurements were taken pre-intervention and within 30 minutes following the intervention.
Change in Y Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
The Y Balance Test was used to assess dynamic balance, with participants reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while standing on one leg. The average reach distance in centimeters (cm) was recorded for each direction. The test was administered at baseline and within 30 minutes post-intervention to assess immediate changes in balance performance.
Change in Active Knee Extension Angle (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Active Knee Extension Test (AKET): Degree of knee extension measured using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater flexibility.
Change in The Stork Balance Test from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
The Stork Balance Test was used to evaluate static balance by measuring how long (in seconds) a participant could maintain a balanced stance on one leg.
Change in Lumbal Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention
Time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention
Lumbal range of motion (flexion, extension) in healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.
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 5 Aug 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All procedures involving human participants were conducted in accordance with ethical standards. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the study. Data other than the participants' personal information (e.g., pre- and post-intervention muscle flexibility measurements) were used solely for research purposes. Participant privacy and confidentiality were strictly protected throughout the study.
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 Thoracolumbar fascia inhibition, Suboccipital inhibition group and hamstring stretching in people with Healthy Individuals With Hamstring Tightness, run by Bulent Ecevit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 6 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 5 Aug 2025. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Change in Cervical Range of Motion (degrees) from Baseline to Post-Intervention (time frame: Baseline and immediately (within 30 minutes) post-intervention). The study lists 6 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 5 Aug 2025.