Evaluating treatment efficacy for Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A comparison of combined foam rolling and stretching with strengthening exercises versus strengthening alone in athletes

Background

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) lacks effective conservative treatment protocols, often relying on expert opinion without addressing individual factors. This study compared the effectiveness of integrating foam rolling and stretching exercises with strengthening routines versus strengthening exercises alone in athletes with ITBS. Twenty athletes with confirmed ITBS (11 males, 9 females; mean age: 33.6 ± 9.5 years) were randomized into two groups: the Integrated Training Group (ITG, n = 10) and the Strengthening-Focused Group (SFG, n = 10). Both underwent 24 sessions over eight weeks intervention, lasting 25–30 minutes per session. Outcomes included a primary measure of pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and secondary measures of lower extremity function (LEFS), hip abductor strength, iliotibial band flexibility, and quality of life (SF-36), were measured pre- and post-intervention. The ITG showed significantly greater improvements in pain reduction (79.7% vs. 81.0% reduction, p  = 0.02), lower extremity function (25.7% vs. 21% improvement, p  = 0.02), iliotibial band flexibility (59.4% vs. 1.7% improvement, p  = 0.001), and overall QoL (19.9% vs. 12.6% improvement, p  = 0.006) compared to the SFG. However, no significant differences were noted in hip abductor strength or physical and psychological QoL components ( p  > 0.05). Based on the sample examined, integrating foam rolling and stretching with strengthening exercises versus strengthening exercises alone resulted in greater improvements in pain, lower extremity physical function, iliotibial band flexibility, and overall QoL. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes and in other populations are needed before definitive conclusions can be reached.