Low Back Pain
Conditions
Keywords
active release technique, low back pain, muscle stretching
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Active Release Technique (ART) or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is more effective in improving hamstring flexibility in adults with specific low back pain. It will also look at how these treatments affect pain and movement. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does ART or PNF improve hamstring flexibility more in people with specific low back pain? Do participants report reduced pain and better movement after receiving either treatment? Researchers will compare the effects of ART and PNF to see which method works better for improving flexibility and reducing pain. Participants will: Receive either ART or PNF therapy for 2 weeks Attend regular physiotherapy sessions during the treatment period Be assessed before and after treatment for hamstring flexibility and pain levels
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) in improving hamstring flexibility among individuals with specific low back pain. Reduced hamstring flexibility is a common contributing factor in low back dysfunction, and identifying the most effective manual therapy technique can guide more targeted physical therapy interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either ART or PNF over a 2-week intervention period. Both groups received treatment administered by trained physiotherapists using standardized protocols. ART focused on applying specific manual pressure to soft tissues while moving the muscle through its range of motion, while PNF employed contract-relax stretching techniques to promote muscle lengthening and neuromuscular facilitation. Participants were evaluated at baseline and after the completion of the intervention for changes in hamstring flexibility, with secondary observations on pain reduction and functional improvement. The study adhered to ethical standards, and all participants provided informed consent prior to participation. The trial contributes to evidence-based physiotherapy by offering comparative insight into two widely used manual techniques in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Interventions
OTHERProprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
A stretching technique involving passive stretching and isometric contractions of the hamstrings.
OTHERActive Release Technique
A manual therapy technique applied to release soft tissue tension in the hamstrings.
Sponsors
University of Lahore
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
The participants were randomly assigned in to two groups i.e. Group A and Group B by sealed envelope method.
Intervention model description
After screening the population based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, participants were included in the study. Participants signed a consent form regarding their willingness to participate in the study. The participants were divided equally into two groups where group one was evaluated for active release technique and group two was evaluated according to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique. The measurements were taken at baseline then at 2nd and at 4th week after the last Session. There were total 20 sessions, 5 sessions in a week for 4 weeks
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Patients having chronic low backache having hamstring tightness referred from orthopedic department 2. Patients having lumber disc budge, spinal spondylosis 3. Age group 25-40 years, having pain more than 3 months 4. Minimum 20-degree restriction in SLR unilaterally Both male and female
Exclusion criteria
1. Any history of injury in lower extremities in past 3 months 2. Knee osteoarthritis patients, knee deformities, discitis, osteomyelitis 3. Patients with injury of back, constant or severe persistent pain, inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal infection lumber spondylolisthesis, and lumber spondylolysis. 4. Any pregnancy, history of previous surgery or fracture and history of radiculopathy or neuropathic pain. \-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hamstring Flexibility (measured by Passive Straight Leg Raise Test) | at baseline then at 2nd and at 4th week after the last Session | Flexibility of the hamstring muscle will be measured using a goniometer during the Passive Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity (measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale - NPRS) | at baseline then at 2nd and at 4th week after the last Session | Participants will rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMontiha Azeem, DPT
University of Lahore
Outcome results
None listed