The effects of soft tissue mobilization on the immature burn scar: Results of a pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effects of soft tissue mobilization (STM) on range of motion (ROM), scar pliability, and vascularity. Patients received either one treatment session of standard physical therapy or standard physical therapy plus 10 to 15 minutes of STM. Before and after ROM, scar pliability and vascularity measurements were obtained. The student's t test was used to compare measurements and revealed the STM group (n = 5) had significant (p < 0.10) gains in wrist extension and radial deviation, and the control group (n = 5) had significant gains in wrist extension and ulnar deviation. No significant difference was found in ROM, scar pliability, and vascularity when the STM group was compared to the control group. Further study of a larger sample over multiple treatment sessions is necessary to determine the true efficacy of STM.