Effects of a two-week instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and exercise therapy versus sham and exercise on gait kinetics in moderate knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Both IASTM and sham interventions with exercise improved pain and ROM. However, the IASTM group experienced greater improvements. Additionally, IASTM led to a longer time to heel strike transient, suggesting improved shock absorption. Overall, IASTM may serve as a beneficial adjunctive intervention for alleviating symptoms in KOA patients and improving gait under challenging conditions, such as fast-speed walking.