ClinicalTrials.gg
Status unknownNCT06534788Updated Aug 2, 2024

Effects of Reciprocal Inhibition Versus Post Facilitation Muscle Energy Technique Along With Conventional Physical Therapy in Patients With Piriformis Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial

An interventional study of Reciprocal Inhibition MET and Post-facilitation MET in Piriformis Syndrome, sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad. Status unknown at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-08-02.

Sponsored by Foundation University Islamabad · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

The sponsor has not verified this record recently (last verified Jul 2024), so the status shown — last known as Recruiting — may be out of date.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
44
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 50 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial and the purpose of this study is to compare the effects of reciprocal inhibition versus post facilitation muscle energy technique along with conventional physical therapy in patients with piriformis syndrome in terms of pain, range of motion at hip joint and functional disability.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to compare the effects of reciprocal inhibition with post facilitation muscle energy technique along with conventional physical therapy in terms of pain, functional disability and range of motion at hip joint in patients with piriformis syndrome to find the best suitable and effective treatment for it based on the outcomes.

Males and females between the age of 20-50 years, having buttock pain of ≥ 3 on NPRS since 3 months or more and a score of ≥ 8 on a 12-point clinical scoring system as well as any two of the positive screening tests will be recruited in this study as patients of piriformis syndrome.

These subjects will be selected via non-probability purposive sampling technique, followed by randomization into two groups using blocked randomization method.

A total of 6 treatment sessions will be given to each participant over the duration of 2 weeks with a total of 3 follow-ups after every 2 sessions.

TENS and hot pack followed by reciprocal inhibition technique will be given to the experimental group A, while the active comparator group B will be given TENS and hot pack followed by post-facilitation muscle energy technique.

Both the groups will be guided about the strengthening exercises given as a home plan.

02

Conditions studied

  • Piriformis Syndrome
03

In context

Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

56 studies on the registry are indexed under Piriformis Muscle Syndrome; 23 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 44 is close to the median of 42 across 50 interventional studies indexed under Piriformis Muscle Syndrome.

Browse Piriformis Muscle Syndrome studies →

Lead sponsor

Foundation University Islamabad is the lead sponsor of 253 studies on the registry; 140 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: 20-50 years
  • Both Genders
  • Chronic pain in buttock and hip area (≥ 3 on NPRS) lasting more than 3 months.
  • Shortened piriformis muscle (Internal rotation less than 30°) on muscle length assessment.
  • A score of ≥ 8 on a 12-point clinical scoring system.
  • At least two positive screening tests.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active infection
  • Lower lumbar radiculopathy
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Malignancies
  • History of trauma
  • Hip Arthroplasty
  • Rheumatoid/ Osteoarthritis
  • Any neurological dysfunction
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
44 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    RI-MET group

    RI-MET group A will receive 3-5 repetitions of reciprocal inhibition to the shortened piriformis muscle in supine and prone positions i.e. 30-50% isometric contraction of the muscle opposite to the muscle to be stretched for 7-10 seconds, followed by inhalation, exhalation and rest period of 5 seconds and then a stretch (through the new barrier with patients' assistance) of 10-60 seconds hold.both groups will receive conventional physical therapy which they will be taught as a home plan. Following exercises are guided to the patient as home plan. * Resisted abduction with Thera/resistance band * Resisted bridging with Thera/resistance band * Resisted clam exercise with Thera/resistance band

    Other: Reciprocal Inhibition MET · Other: Conventional physical therapy

  • Experimental
    PFS-MET group

    PFS-MET group will receive 3-5 repetitions of post-facilitation stretch to the shortened piriformis muscle in supine and prone positions i.e. 20% maximal isometric contraction of the muscle to be stretched for 6-10 seconds, followed by a rapid stretch (through the new barrier) of 15 seconds hold. After stretch, the muscle is allowed to relax in the midrange for up to 30 seconds.Both groups will receive conventional physical therapy which they will be taught as a home plan. Following exercises are guided to the patient as home plan. * Resisted abduction with Thera/resistance band * Resisted bridging with Thera/resistance band * Resisted clam exercise with Thera/resistance band

    Other: Post-facilitation MET · Other: Conventional physical therapy

Interventions

  • OtherReciprocal Inhibition MET

    Reciprocal Inhibition MET will be applied to the shortened piriformis muscle in supine and prone positions with participants using 30-50% of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction. It will include 30-50% isometric contraction of the muscle opposite to the muscle to be stretched for 7-10 seconds, followed by inhalation, exhalation and rest period of 5 seconds and then a stretch (through the new barrier with patients' assistance) of 10-60 seconds hold. RI-MET group will receive 3-5 repetitions.

  • OtherPost-facilitation MET

    Post-facilitation stretch technique for shortened piriformis muscle in supine and prone positions will be applied with participants using 20% of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction. It will include 20% maximal isometric contraction of the muscle to be stretched for 6-10 seconds, followed by a rapid stretch (through the new barrier) of 15 seconds hold. After stretch, the muscle is allowed to relax in the midrange for up to 30 seconds. PFS-MET group will receive 3-5 repetitions.

  • OtherConventional physical therapy

    TENS and hot pack application to provide heating effect over the painful area (10 minutes) Both groups will receive conventional physical therapy which they will be taught as a home plan. Following exercises are guided to the patient as home plan. * Resisted abduction with Thera/resistance band * Resisted bridging with Thera/resistance band * Resisted clam exercise with Thera/resistance band

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    The pre and post pain intensity will be measured using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) comprising of 11 points from 0 - 10 where 0 indicates "no pain" while 10 is "maximally felt pain".

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  2. Hip range of motion

    Goniometer will be used to measure the pre and post treatment ranges of internal rotation, external rotation, abduction and adduction at hip joint in supine and sitting positions.

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  3. Functional Disability

    Lower Extremity Functional Scale comprising of 20 questions regarding lower extremity function will be used. The maximum possible score is 80 points, indicating very high function. The minimum possible score is 0 points, indicating very low function.

    Time frame: 2 weeks

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Foundation University College of Physical Therapy
    Rawalpindi, Punjab Province 46000, Pakistan
    Recruiting
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 2, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06534788
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 2, 2024
Start date
May 31, 2024
Primary completion
Jan 15, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Jan 30, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 2, 2024

Study contacts

Nimrah Haq, MS-MSKPT*
Contact
nimrahhaq254@gmail.com
0311-5445539

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is status unknown, as verified in Jul 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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