Abstract: Background: It is believed that knee pain results from factors that may be biological and/or psycho-social in origin. Among biological factors, data suggest that quadriceps muscle weakness may contribute to worsening of knee pain. Recent investigations have provided evidence that higher quadriceps strength may inhibit worsening of knee joint structure.
Objective: To study the effectiveness of strengthening exercise with and without the use of K-IASTM tool in reducing knee pain.
Methods: 30 samples will be divided into two groups – Group A- K-IASTM and strengthening exercises; Group B- strengthening exercises. Subjects will be selected by alternative systematic random sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria along with a written consent form which will be taken from the participants. K-IASTM will be done on Quadriceps muscle using scanning, combing, scouring and gliding technique for 90 seconds- 2 minutes on each muscle.One-way ANOVA were used to determine the statistical significance of the quadriceps strength, related ratios, knee joint passive stiffness, and pain threshold in each technique. The significance level was set at α= 0.05.
Results: The IASTM group showed greater improvement in the peak quadriceps strength (p value <0.001), the significant decrease in VAS score was observed (p<0.05) and it was found the reduction in VAS score was highest of IASTM as compared to group B.
Conclusion: The present comparative study provided first clinical evidence that IASTM technique is a best soft tissue mobilization technique to improve the strength, associated strength ratio, knee joint passive stiffness, and pain threshold among individuals with Quadriceps weakness.
