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Instructional Influence: How Cueing Alters Foam Rolling Outcomes

Instructional Influence: How Cueing Alters Foam Rolling Outcomes

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07031193
Enrollment
20
Registered
2025-06-22
Start date
2025-08-01
Completion date
2026-05-31
Last updated
2026-07-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Foam Roller

Keywords

foam roller,, range of motion, pain

Brief 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. 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.

Interventions

PROCEDUREFoam roller instructions for pain reduction

Foam rolling procedure with pain reduction instructions over hamstring muscle group

PROCEDUREFoam rolling for range of motion improvement

Foam rolling over hamstring muscle group with range of motion improvement instructions.

Sponsors

University of South Dakota
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 64 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Fluent in English and primary language

Exclusion criteria

* 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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Straight leg raise Range of motion on dominate legfrom enrollment to the end of the session at 1 dayHamstring 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 groupfrom enrollment to the end of the session at 1 dayUse 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.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 15, 2026