Instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilisation 2019 (systematic review and effect-size analysis)

Systematic review and effect-size analysis of instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilisation (IASTM), the family of techniques that includes the Graston Technique. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. The authors found large effect sizes for pain reduction (ES 0.48–1.95) and patient-reported function in injured participants, and moderate-to-large effects on range of motion in uninjured participants. They concluded that moderate evidence supports the use of IASTM for improving ROM in uninjured people and for pain and function in injured patients. No firm recommendation on dosage or specific instrument could be made given heterogeneity across protocols, and IASTM showed no benefit for strength.