Strain Counterstrain Technique and Graston Technqiue on Quadratus Lumborum Trigger Points

NCT ID: NCT06986707

Last Updated: 2025-07-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 34 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-06-12
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-01

Brief Summary

Poor body mechanics and posture affects body positioning and stresses quadratus lumborum muscle which ultimately leads to myofascial trigger points in muscle. This study aims to compare the effects of Strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique on trigger points of quadratus lumborum in nonspecific low back patients. This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic Lahore and SPARC Physiotherapy Clinic Lahore. Non-probability convenient sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of 34 subjects with age group between 20-45 years will be taken. baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.

Detailed Description

Researches have been conducted about effect of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization versus kinesiotape for chronic mechanical low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Introduction. The objective was to compare the effect of conventional program, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and kinesiotape (KT) in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP). 51 participants were randomly enrolled into three equal groups. Group A (n = 17) received conventional program, Group B (n = 17) received conventional program plus IASTM, and Group C (n = 17) received conventional program plus KT. The participants were evaluated before and after eight sessions using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure algometer, dual inclinometer, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). It was concluded that Conventional program, IASTM and KT are effective methods for improving pain, ROM and function on CMLBP..Low back pain especially which is not related to any specific disease has become very common nowadays. Almost every other person complains about back pain. While there have been numerous studies on low back pain and its treatments but limited work has done on both techniques, the strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique. This study aims to determine the comparison of strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique on trigger points of quadratus lumborum among patients with non-specific low back pain

Conditions

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Study Design

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

Study Groups

strain counterstrain technique

Strain Counter-Strain Technique:

(repeated 2 sets in each session)

• 1 day per week
• 4 weeks protocol

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Strain counterstrain technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

Group A: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes (repeated 2 sets in each session)

• 1 day per week
• 4 weeks protocol

Graston technique

Before starting procedure, brisk walking or stretching is done for 4- 5 minutes

• Applying heat for 3-4 minutes to warm the area
• 40 seconds on right side
• 40 seconds on left side

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Graston technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

GROUP B: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes Before starting procedure, brisk walking or stretching is done for 4- 5 minutes

• Applying heat for 3-4 minutes to warm the area
• 40 seconds on right side
• 40 seconds on left side
• 1 day per week
• 4 weeks protocol After treatment, apply Ice for 2 minutes

Interventions

Strain counterstrain technique

Group A: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes (repeated 2 sets in each session)

• 1 day per week
• 4 weeks protocol

Intervention Type: OTHER

Graston technique

GROUP B: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes Before starting procedure, brisk walking or stretching is done for 4- 5 minutes

• Applying heat for 3-4 minutes to warm the area
• 40 seconds on right side
• 40 seconds on left side
• 1 day per week
• 4 weeks protocol After treatment, apply Ice for 2 minutes

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participant's age range 20-45 years
• Both genders.
• Individuals having low back pain for atleast 12 weeks with limited segmental mobility especially after maintaining certain prolonged posture .
• Individuals with localized pain and tenderness at attachments of quadratus lumborum due to the presence of trigger points (unilateral or bilateral).
• positive segmental mobility assessment at the level of L4 and L5 on one side or on both sides
• Patients having moderate pain on NPRS

Exclusion Criteria

• Individuals with anticoagulation or bleeding disorders, acute muscle trauma, infections, lumbar disc herniation, spinal deformities, or a history of spinal surgery or anticoagulation medication
• Orthopedic surgery or any other low back surgery .
• Fracture of vertebrae and any lower limb injury

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 45 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Hira Shaukat, TDPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

Kishwar sultana hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Pakistan

Central Contacts

Imran Amjad, phD

Role: CONTACT

imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

03324390125

Facility Contacts

Hira Shaukat, TDPT

Role: primary

hira.shaukat@riphah.edu.pk

03360405480

Other Identifiers

REC/RCR&AHS/24/0157

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id