title: The effect of Graston technique on the pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain.
abstract: [Purpose] Clinicians have reported the effects of various instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) in patients. The purpose of this study was to investigated the effects of the Graston technique and general exercise on pain and range of motion (ROM) in patients with CLBP. [Subjects and Methods] 30 patients with CLBP participated in the study (Graston technique: 15;
  
  
  METHODS
  15). Before and after the 4-week intervention program, pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Lumbar ROM was measured using a smartphone. The main effects and interaction were analyzed by two-way repeated ANOVA. [Results] A significant time-by-group interaction was observed for the VAS and ROM. A post hoc paired t-test showed that pain decreased significantly post-intervention within the Graston group. The lumbar ROM significantly increased post-intervention in both groups. [Conclusion] The Graston technique and general exercise resulted in pain relief and increased ROM. However, the Graston group showed significantly increased VAS and ROM more than control group. These findings suggest that the Graston technique can be useful as a pain decrease and ROM increase for patients with CLBP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Kyu
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Seop
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
keywords: Chronic low back pain; Graston technique; Range of motion