Investigation of the effect of "instrument-assisted soft tissue mobiization" technique in patients with Lumbar dental hernia

The aim of this study is planned to investigate the efficacy of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique in individuals with lumbar disc herniation. 40 patients with lumbar disc herniation are included into the study. Patients are divided to two groups randomly as control group and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment group. Each group had 20 people. İnstrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment group was applied 2 sessions of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment protocol per week in addition to the classic physiotherapy (hotpack, TENS, ultrasound and exercise) for 4 weeks. In this protocol of treatment paraspinal muscles, gluteus maksimus – gluteus medius muscles and hamstrings are applied. All patients are evaluated before, after and 2 months after the treatment in terms of pain (visual pain scale-VPS), straight leg raise test (SLRT), slump test (90° degree from knee flexion to knee extension), 5 min walking test (5MWT), normal joint movement and SF-36. When the groups are compared within themselves before, after and 2 months after the treatment, it is appointed that there was a decrease in pain in both groups (p<0.05); showed an increase in straight leg raise degree, slump test (90° degree from knee flexion to knee extension), 5 min walking test (5MWT), normal joint movement and SF-36 values (p>0.05). When the groups are compared; in pain, straight leg raise degree, slump test (90° degree from knee flexion to knee extension), 5 min walking test (5MWT), normal joint movement and SF-36 values clinical improvements are seen more in instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment group. As a result; we believe that instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques for the treatment of individuals with lumbar disc herniation by physiotherapists, physiotherapy programs together with the applications can respond favorably to rehabilitation. However, further studies are needed to investigate changes in back muscle activity after instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique for individuals with lumbar disc herniation. Key Words: Lumbar disc herniation, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique, instrument, soft tissue mobilization, classic physiotherapy.