Hamstring Muscle Tightness, Low Back Pain, Mechanical, Lower Cross Syndrome
Conditions
Keywords
Hamstring Tightness, Post-Isometric Relaxation with Myofascial Release, low back pain with lower cross syndrome
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the combined effects of post-isometric relaxation and myofascial release on pain, flexibility, and functional disability in individuals with low back pain associated with lower cross syndrome. Eligible participants aged 18 to 45 years will be randomly allocated into two parallel intervention groups. One group will receive post-isometric relaxation combined with myofascial release, while the comparison group will receive conventional stretching combined with Therapeutic modalities. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The results of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based physiotherapy management of low back pain associated with postural imbalance.
Interventions
OTHERpost isometric relaxation
Post-isometric relaxation will be applied to the hamstring muscles. Participants will be positioned supine with the hip flexed to 90 degrees and will perform a submaximal isometric contraction of the hamstrings against therapist resistance for 5 to 8 seconds, followed by a passive stretch of approximately 10 seconds. The procedure will be repeated three times per limb per session.
OTHERMYOFASCIAL RELEASE
Myofascial release will be applied to the hamstring muscles with the participant in a prone position. Sustained manual pressure will be applied along the length of the hamstring muscles using the therapist's hands for approximately 30 seconds per application, repeated multiple times per session to improve tissue extensibility.
OTHERConventional Static Stretching
Conventional static stretching of the hamstring muscles will be performed with the participant in a supine position. Each stretch will be held for approximately 30 seconds and repeated three times per limb per session as part of routine physiotherapy management.
OTHERTherapeutic Modalities
Therapeutic modalities, including ultrasound therapy or superficial heat application using a heating pad, will be applied prior to stretching to reduce pain and improve tissue extensibility as part of conventional physiotherapy care.
Sponsors
University of Karachi
IQRA University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
This study will be single-blinded. The outcome assessor will be blinded to group allocation to minimize assessment bias. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Participants aged 18-45 years old 2. having low back pain persisting for at least 4 weeks 3. with clinical diagnosis of LCS, and hamstring tightness (AKE \>15°)
Exclusion criteria
1. Participants with the history of spinal surgery active neurological conditions 2. systemic disease affecting connective tissue (Rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus) 3. recent lower limb or spinal injury (within 6 months) 4. pregnancy or inability to lie prone for treatment.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hamstring Flexibility | Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session, after 36 sessions at 12 weeks (3 months), and after 72 sessions at 24 weeks (6 months) | Hamstring flexibility will be assessed using Active Knee Extension (AKE) test measured in degrees with a goniometer. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity | assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session, after 36 sessions at 12 weeks (3 months), and after 72 sessions at 24 weeks (6 months) | Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, a 10-centimeter scale ranging from 0 to 10, where: 0 = no pain 10 = worst imaginable pain Higher scores indicate worse pain intensity. |
| functional flexibility(Straight Leg Raise Test) | Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session, after 36 sessions at 12 weeks (3 months), and after 72 sessions at 24 weeks (6 months) | Functional flexibility will be assessed using the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test, measured in degrees using a goniometer. |
| Posture Assessment (REEDCO Posture Scale) | Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session, after 36 sessions at 12 weeks (3 months), and after 72 sessions at 24 weeks (6 months) | Posture will be assessed using the REEDCO Posture Scale, a standardized observational scale used to evaluate body posture. The scale ranges from 0 to 100, where: Lower scores indicate poor posture Higher scores indicate better posture alignment |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
CONTACTBushra Madad Ali Malik, MPHIL
CONTACTAftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, PhD
STUDY_CHAIRBasit Ansari, PhD
University of Karachi
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBushra Madad Ali Malik, DPT
University of Karachi
STUDY_DIRECTORAftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, PhD
IQRA University
Outcome results
None listed