Effect of diacutaneous fibrolysis on the muscular properties of gastrocnemius muscle

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 9;15(12):e0243225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243225. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Diacutaneous fibrolysis is a noninvasive technique that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders such as shoulder pain, lateral epicondylalgia, patellofemoral pain syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, while diacutaneous fibrolysis is applied to soft tissue, its effects on muscular properties are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis on muscle properties as measured by tensiomyography and myotonometry in asymptomatic subjects. An analytical descriptive study was performed. A single session of diacutaneous fibrolysis on the gastrocnemius muscle was applied to one limb (treated limb group) and the other limb was the control (control limb group). Subjects were assessed with tensiomyography and myotonometry before treatment (T0), after treatment (T1) and 30 minutes later (T2). The primary outcomes were tensiomyography and myotonometry variables. The treated limb group showed a statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in tensiomyography parameters. A decrease in rigidity and increase in relaxation was also observed on myotonometry at T1, with some of the effects being maintained at T2. Rigidity and relaxation at T1 were statistically significant between groups (p<0.05). A single session of diacutaneous fibrolysis to the gastrocnemius muscle of asymptomatic subjects produced immediate changes in muscle properties. These changes were maintained 30 minutes after the application of the technique.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena
  • Myography
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Col·legi de Fisioterapeutes de Catalunya. Resolution 001/2018 of 14 March 2018 (n° reg. 59292 – code R3). The funding body had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, manuscript writing or submission for publication.