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Acute Effects of Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial Release on Cortical Activity

ConditionHealty Volunteers
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-25
SponsorHitit University

About this trial

This study will examine the immediate (acute) effects of a single myofascial release technique applied to the thoracolumbar fascia on brain activity in healthy young adults aged 18-25. Using a sham-controlled, randomized design, participants will be assigned to either an active treatment group, receiving a 10-minute myofascial release technique to the lower back, or a sham control group, receiving light surface touch to the same area for the same duration without any therapeutic pressure or movement.

Brain activity will be recorded using a portable, 8-channel wireless EEG system before the intervention, shortly after it (0-10 minutes), and again 30 minutes later, allowing researchers to track how cortical activity changes over time. Measurements will focus on sensorimotor rhythms (mu rhythm) and posterior alpha power, along with heart rate variability, to assess whether the myofascial technique produces effects that go beyond those of simple touch. The main goal is to determine whether this hands-on technique produces a measurable, distinct pattern of brain activity compared to a sham (placebo-like) touch condition.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Age 18-25 years

Self-reported healthy status

Literate in Turkish

Disqualifiers

Active epilepsy or seizure history

Diagnosed psychiatric disorder

Neurological disorder

Cardiac arrhythmia, pacemaker, or heart disease

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial Release (Pilat MIF Crossed-Hands Technique)

    Other intervention

    A manual myofascial release technique applied for 10 minutes to the thoracolumbar fascia (T10-L4 region) in the prone position. The therapist's hands are placed in a crossed configuration over the fascia, applying sustained moderate pressure (1.5-2.5 kg) without rapid movement, aiming to release tension in the fascia's laminar and posterior layers. The technique is delivered by a certified myofascial therapist trained in the Pilat Myofascial Induction (MIF) method.

  • Sham (Light Surface Touch)

    Other intervention

    A sham condition consisting of light, static surface contact (\<0.5 kg) applied to the same thoracolumbar region as the active technique, for the same 10-minute duration and in the same prone position. No therapeutic pressure, sliding, or manipulation is applied. This condition controls for the effects of therapist contact, positioning, and expectation, isolating the specific effect of the myofascial release technique itself.

Treatment groups

124 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Active Comparator: Thoracolumbar Fascia Myofascial ReleaseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Arm 2 - Sham Comparator: Light Surface Touch (Control)Sham comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in Sensorimotor Mu Rhythm Power (C3, C4 channels)

Power spectral density in the mu rhythm frequency band (assessed via alpha/beta range activity over sensorimotor cortex) will be calculated from EEG channels C3 and C4 using Welch's method, and compared between baseline and post-intervention time points and between the active and sham groups.

Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), early post-intervention (0-10 min), and late post-intervention (30 min)
2

Change in Posterior Alpha Power (Pz channel)

Power spectral density in the alpha frequency band will be calculated from EEG channel Pz using Welch's method, and compared between baseline and post-intervention time points and between the active and sham groups.

Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention), early post-intervention (0-10 min), and late post-intervention (30 min)

Secondary outcomes

1

Change in Heart Rate Variability - RMSSD

Root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), an index of parasympathetic activation, calculated from ECG recordings.

Time frame
Baseline, early post-intervention (0-10 min), late post-intervention (30 min)
2

Change in Heart Rate Variability - LF/HF Ratio

Ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power in heart rate variability, reflecting sympathovagal balance, calculated from ECG recordings.

Time frame
Baseline, early post-intervention (0-10 min), late post-intervention (30 min)
3

Change in Frontal Alpha Asymmetry

Alpha power asymmetry between left and right frontal EEG channels (F3, F4), calculated as a log-transformed power ratio.

Time frame
Baseline, early post-intervention (0-10 min), late post-intervention (30 min)
4

Change in Heartbeat-Evoked Potential (HEP) Amplitude (Cz channel)

Amplitude of the heartbeat-evoked potential, derived from EEG channel Cz time-locked to the R-peak of the ECG signal.

Time frame
Baseline, early post-intervention (0-10 min), late post-intervention (30 min)

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Hitit University

Lead sponsor

Amasya University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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