An interventional study of Muscle Energy Technique and Myofascial Release Technique in Piriformis Syndrome, sponsored by Igdir University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-17.
Sponsored by Igdir University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the effects of two different manual therapy approaches, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Technique (MFR), on pain threshold, muscle activation patterns, and muscle strength in individuals diagnosed with piriformis syndrome.
In this study, the physiological effects of both interventions on the musculoskeletal system will be assessed using objective measurement tools such as an algometer, digital dynamometer, and electromyography (EMG). The study aims to provide evidence-based data regarding the most effective and preferable manual therapy approach in the conservative treatment of piriformis syndrome.
Participants included in the study will complete the Sociodemographic Information Form, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ).
Additionally, participants will undergo the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Lower extremity muscle strength will be evaluated using a digital dynamometer, pain threshold will be assessed with an algometer, and muscle activation patterns will be evaluated using surface electromyography (sEMG) in the FAIR position.
The entire assessment procedure will take approximately 30-40 minutes, and all measurements will be performed under standardized conditions by the same researcher.
This study is a randomized controlled experimental trial aiming to compare the effects of two different manual therapy approaches, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Technique (MFR), on pain threshold, muscle activation patterns, and muscle strength in individuals diagnosed with piriformis syndrome.
The study is designed as a pretest-posttest trial. Participants will be randomly allocated into three groups: the MET group, the MFR group, and the control group. All groups will receive treatment for 8 weeks, with 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 treatment sessions.
58 studies on the registry are indexed under Piriformis Muscle Syndrome; 23 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 72 is above the median of 42 across 52 interventional studies indexed under Piriformis Muscle Syndrome.
Browse Piriformis Muscle Syndrome studies →Igdir University is the lead sponsor of 18 studies on the registry; 7 are open to participants now.
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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.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in this group will receive Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in addition to conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.
Procedure: Muscle Energy Technique
Participants in this group will receive Myofascial Release Technique (MFR) in addition to conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.
Procedure: Myofascial Release Technique
Participants in this group will receive conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.
Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) will be applied to participants by a trained physiotherapist in addition to conventional physical therapy. The intervention will be performed for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. The technique will include voluntary muscle contractions followed by relaxation and stretching procedures targeting the piriformis muscle.
Myofascial Release Technique (MFR) will be applied to participants by a trained physiotherapist in addition to conventional physical therapy. The intervention will be performed for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. The technique will involve sustained manual pressure and soft tissue release techniques targeting the piriformis muscle and surrounding fascia.
Participants in the control group will receive conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.
Pressure Pain Threshold
Assessment of pressure pain threshold using an algometer.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Pain Severity (SF-MPQ)
Pain intensity and pain characteristics will be evaluated using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Muscle Strength
Assessment of lower extremity muscle strength using a digital dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Muscle Activation Pattern
Assessment of muscle activation patterns using surface electromyography (sEMG) in the FAIR position.
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)
Assessment of lower extremity functional status using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Assessment of disability level using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF)
Assessment of quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF).
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Sleep Quality (PSQI)
Assessment of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
6-Minute Walk Test
Assessment of functional exercise capacity using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) sharing has not yet been determined. Data sharing plans may be evaluated after study completion in accordance with institutional policies and participant confidentiality.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Aug 2026; primary completion for Nov 2026, 3 months later.
Of 38 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Piriformis Muscle Syndrome, half reached primary completion within 6 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 12. This study's planned 3 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 38 studies reached it within 6 months; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 12.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Igdir University