Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction

Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem with a significant impact on individuals and society, leading to activity limitation and chronic pain. Quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle tightness can trigger symptoms of significant LBP. Muscle energy technique (MET), a gentle manual therapy for restric...

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Main Authors: Ali Mazidavi, Noureddin Karimi, Bijan Khorasani, Parastoo Baraghoosh, Akbar Biglarian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Negah Institute for Scientific Communication 2023-10-01
Series:Physical Treatments
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-583-en.pdf
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author Ali Mazidavi
Noureddin Karimi
Bijan Khorasani
Parastoo Baraghoosh
Akbar Biglarian
author_facet Ali Mazidavi
Noureddin Karimi
Bijan Khorasani
Parastoo Baraghoosh
Akbar Biglarian
author_sort Ali Mazidavi
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem with a significant impact on individuals and society, leading to activity limitation and chronic pain. Quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle tightness can trigger symptoms of significant LBP. Muscle energy technique (MET), a gentle manual therapy for restricted motion in the spine and limbs, aims to induce muscle relaxation, reduce pain, and improve range of motion (ROM). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MET on pain reduction and ROM improvement in chronic LBP subjects with lateral flexion restriction. Methods: This study was a randomized single-blind clinical trial. One hundred and two participants diagnosed with chronic LBP and lateral flexion restriction were randomly divided into two groups: Control (n=51) and intervention (n=51). The control group received conventional physiotherapy, while the intervention group was provided with a combination of conventional physiotherapy and MET (post-isometric relaxation). Pain and ROM were measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and a goniometer, respectively. Both groups were evaluated before and immediately after the treatment. Results: The results revealed a significant reduction in pain and improvement in ROM in both groups after the treatment. No significant differences were found in the mean pain scores between the two groups (P=0.77). However, the mean scores of ROM in the intervention group showed a significant difference compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Conclusion: MET combination with conventional physiotherapy significantly improves LBP and ROM of lateral flexion in chronic LBP subjects with lateral flexion restriction.
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spelling doaj.art-7aa94a008cb9476490f75fd0c80be3852024-01-03T13:39:05ZengNegah Institute for Scientific CommunicationPhysical Treatments2423-58302023-10-01134245252Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion RestrictionAli Mazidavi0Noureddin Karimi1Bijan Khorasani2Parastoo Baraghoosh3Akbar Biglarian4 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem with a significant impact on individuals and society, leading to activity limitation and chronic pain. Quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle tightness can trigger symptoms of significant LBP. Muscle energy technique (MET), a gentle manual therapy for restricted motion in the spine and limbs, aims to induce muscle relaxation, reduce pain, and improve range of motion (ROM). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MET on pain reduction and ROM improvement in chronic LBP subjects with lateral flexion restriction. Methods: This study was a randomized single-blind clinical trial. One hundred and two participants diagnosed with chronic LBP and lateral flexion restriction were randomly divided into two groups: Control (n=51) and intervention (n=51). The control group received conventional physiotherapy, while the intervention group was provided with a combination of conventional physiotherapy and MET (post-isometric relaxation). Pain and ROM were measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and a goniometer, respectively. Both groups were evaluated before and immediately after the treatment. Results: The results revealed a significant reduction in pain and improvement in ROM in both groups after the treatment. No significant differences were found in the mean pain scores between the two groups (P=0.77). However, the mean scores of ROM in the intervention group showed a significant difference compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Conclusion: MET combination with conventional physiotherapy significantly improves LBP and ROM of lateral flexion in chronic LBP subjects with lateral flexion restriction.http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-583-en.pdfchronic low back painlateral flexionmuscle energy techniquequadratus lumborum musclemanual therapyrandomized clinical trial ​​​​​​​
spellingShingle Ali Mazidavi
Noureddin Karimi
Bijan Khorasani
Parastoo Baraghoosh
Akbar Biglarian
Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
Physical Treatments
chronic low back pain
lateral flexion
muscle energy technique
quadratus lumborum muscle
manual therapy
randomized clinical trial ​​​​​​​
title Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
title_full Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
title_fullStr Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
title_short Effects of Muscle Energy Technique on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Subjects with Lateral Flexion Restriction
title_sort effects of muscle energy technique on pain and range of motion in chronic low back pain subjects with lateral flexion restriction
topic chronic low back pain
lateral flexion
muscle energy technique
quadratus lumborum muscle
manual therapy
randomized clinical trial ​​​​​​​
url http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-583-en.pdf
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