AUTHOR=Jędrzejewski Grzegorz , Kasper-Jędrzejewska Martyna , Dolibog Paweł , Szyguła Renata , Schleip Robert , Halski Tomasz 

TITLE=The Rolf Method of Structural Integration on Fascial Tissue Stiffness, Elasticity, and Superficial Blood Perfusion in Healthy Individuals: The Prospective, Interventional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.01062

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2020.01062

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=There are multiple theories surrounding the physiological impact of Structural Integration (SI) with little evidence or research corroborating any of these. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of ten sessions of SI on fascial tissue (FT) superficial blood perfusion, stiffness and elasticity in thirteen healthy women. 
This was a prospective, interventional pilot study. The primary outcome measures were FTs superficial blood perfusion, stiffness and elasticity of bilateral selected FT points on the body. Data were collected before and after ten session of SI intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon test (intragroup comparison). 
The superficial blood perfusion increased significantly in the most selected FT points on the body (p<.05). SI interventions produced significant decreases in selected points (brachioradialis, biceps brachii and trapezius) (p<.05) of FT stiffness as well as significant increases in elasticity (brachioradialis, biceps brachii, triceps surae and trapezius) (p<.05), especially in the FT of the right (dominant) upper limb. 
A ten session of SI demonstrated positive effects on increasing superficial blood perfusion, contributed to a decrease in fascial tissue stiffness and an increase in elasticity properties in the dominant upper limb. Data collection for this study is currently underway and the trial is registered at ISRCTN.com with the identifier: ISRCTN46707309.