Muscle Energy Technique and Foam Roller Self Myofascial Release in Two-wheeler Riders With Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT ID: NCT06017804

Last Updated: 2023-09-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 46 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-03-14
• Study Completion Date: 2022-11-29

Brief Summary

Pain in the lower back is a major concern in today's era due to prolonged sitting in two-wheeler riders, mainly due to hamstring tightness. It also creates physical disability and impairment in activities of daily living. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) and self-myofascial release (SMFR) using the foam roller on hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance, and physical disability amongst two-wheeler riders with chronic low back pain. Participants were randomized into two intervention groups, MET and SMFR, using the envelope method, with each group having 20 participants. Hamstring flexibility and range of motion for knee extension and the lower back were assessed using the active knee extension test and sit and reach test, the dynamic balance was assessed by the star excursion balance test (SEBT) and physical disability by Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, (RMDQ). Measurements were taken at baseline and after 4-week of intervention. The level of significance value was set at 95% (p <0.05).

Detailed Description

The present study proved that both SMFR using the foam roller and MET are effective in improving hamstring muscle flexibility, dynamic balance, and physical disability in two-wheeler riders with chronic low back pain. Thus, either of the two techniques can be used for treating bikers with tight hamstrings causing chronic low back pain. Compared to MET, SMFR using foam rollers was found to be more effective in enhancing hamstring flexibility, improving balance, and decreasing disability levels on the RMDQ after 4 weeks. This study will be aware of the necessity of hamstring stretching and balance training among two-wheeler riders for a prolonged duration on a daily basis and take the initiative to improve their hamstring flexibility and balance.

Conditions

Chronic Low-back Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

MET Group

Received a muscle energy technique

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Muscle energy technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants were required to adopt a supine position. MET's post-isometric relaxation method was chosen. The therapist gently flexed the patient's hip until the limitation bar-rier was detected. At this stage, isometric contractions against resistance were applied. After that, the patients were told to resist the movement with only 25% of their strength. Before the leg was released, the contraction was maintained for 7-10 seconds. On exhale, the knee joint was straightened (extended) towards its new barrier, and a stretch was applied and maintained through that barrier for 30 seconds. This procedure was carried out six times.

SMFR Group

Received a self-myofascial release technique using a foam roller

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Self-myofascial release technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

A foam roller was rolled from the ischial tuberosity to the back of the knee on the side being tested while the participant remained seated in a long sitting position. Individuals were instructed to keep all of their body weight on the leg being evaluated. They spent 30-40 seconds rolling one hamstring at a time in each set (10 times back and forth).

Interventions

Muscle energy technique

Participants were required to adopt a supine position. MET's post-isometric relaxation method was chosen. The therapist gently flexed the patient's hip until the limitation bar-rier was detected. At this stage, isometric contractions against resistance were applied. After that, the patients were told to resist the movement with only 25% of their strength. Before the leg was released, the contraction was maintained for 7-10 seconds. On exhale, the knee joint was straightened (extended) towards its new barrier, and a stretch was applied and maintained through that barrier for 30 seconds. This procedure was carried out six times.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Self-myofascial release technique

A foam roller was rolled from the ischial tuberosity to the back of the knee on the side being tested while the participant remained seated in a long sitting position. Individuals were instructed to keep all of their body weight on the leg being evaluated. They spent 30-40 seconds rolling one hamstring at a time in each set (10 times back and forth).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Two-wheeler riders of either gender between the ages of 20 and 40 years,
• Who had ridden at least two hours per day for the previous two years,
• Had musculoskeletal pain in the back for the previous three months, and
• Had a 15-20-degree loss of knee extension when hips were held in 90-degree flexion.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant women,
• Those with a recent spine or lower limb fracture, recent surgery,
• A previous hamstring injury,
• Lumbar and lower limb neurological deficits, or limb length disparity.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS)

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

King Saud University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

AMIR IQBAL

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

AMIR IQBAL, MPT

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

King Saud University

Locations

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of applied Medical Science, King Saud University

Riyadh, , Saudi Arabia

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Other Identifiers

MRIIRS/FAHS/PT/2022-23/M-010

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id