PRT vs MET in Non-Specific Low Back Pain With Facet Restriction

NCT ID: NCT07165249

Last Updated: 2025-09-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 36 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-09-02
• Study Completion Date: 2024-07-20

Brief Summary

Objective:The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Positional Release Technique (PRT) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in reducing pain and improving outcomes for patients suffering from non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).

Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients between the ages of 25 and 50, all referred by an orthopedic surgeon for treatment of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (n=18 per group) using a computer-generated randomization sequence. However, details regarding allocation concealment and blinding of participants or assessors were not specified, which may influence the risk of bias. Group A received Positional Release Technique (PRT), while Group B received Muscle Energy Technique (MET). Prior to each treatment session, both groups received a standardized 15-minute hot pack application as a co-intervention to promote muscle relaxation and ensure consistency across interventions. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and functional outcomes were measured with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ). Participants in both groups attended three physiotherapy sessions per week over a four-week treatment period.

Detailed Description

1. Study Identification

Official Title:

Positional Release Technique Versus Muscle Energy Technique for Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain With Facet Joint Restriction

Brief Title:

PRT vs MET in Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Study Type:

Interventional (Clinical Trial)

Phase:

Not Applicable

2. Study Description

Brief Summary:

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Positional Release Technique (PRT) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in reducing pain and improving outcomes for patients suffering from non-specific low back pain with suspected facet joint dysfunction. Thirty-six patients were randomized into two groups and received treatment for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Pain intensity (VAS) and functional disability (Roland-Morris Questionnaire) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

3. Study Design

Allocation: Randomized

Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open Label)

Primary Purpose: Treatment

4. Conditions & Interventions

Condition:

Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP)

Interventions:

Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique - 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Group B (MET): Muscle Energy Technique - 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

5. Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures:

Pain intensity (VAS) - Baseline and after 4 weeks.

Functional disability (Roland-Morris Questionnaire, RMQ) - Baseline and after 4 weeks.

6. Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study: 25-50 years

Sexes Eligible for Study: All

Inclusion Criteria: Chronic NSLBP >3 months, suspected facet joint dysfunction.

Exclusion Criteria: History of spinal surgery, vertebral fracture, osteoporosis, inflammatory/metabolic bone disease, spondylolisthesis.

7. Enrollment

Enrollment: 36 participants (actual)

8. Locations

Maqassed Hospital, East Jerusalem, Palestine

Conditions

Non Specific Low Back Pain; Muscle Energy Technique

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

arm 1- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique

3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Positional release technique (PRT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Group A (PRT): Patients lay prone for the application of the hot pack. PRT was then applied to the erector spinae muscles. The therapist identified tender points and passively positioned the patient into a position of comfort, typically involving lateral trunk flexion toward the symptomatic side. Each session involved three 90-second holds per tender point. PRT procedures followed standardized positioning principles as described in previous literature.

arm2- Group B (MET): Muscle Energy Technique

3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Muscle energy technique

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Group B (MET): Following the hot pack application, patients were assessed for segmental dysfunction via palpation of lumbar transverse processes in prone position. MET was applied using isometric contractions aimed at correcting lumbar rotational or side-bending dysfunctions. Each contraction was held for 7-10 seconds, followed by a passive stretch. The technique was repeated for 3-5 cycles per session.

Interventions

Positional release technique (PRT)

Group A (PRT): Patients lay prone for the application of the hot pack. PRT was then applied to the erector spinae muscles. The therapist identified tender points and passively positioned the patient into a position of comfort, typically involving lateral trunk flexion toward the symptomatic side. Each session involved three 90-second holds per tender point. PRT procedures followed standardized positioning principles as described in previous literature.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Muscle energy technique

Group B (MET): Following the hot pack application, patients were assessed for segmental dysfunction via palpation of lumbar transverse processes in prone position. MET was applied using isometric contractions aimed at correcting lumbar rotational or side-bending dysfunctions. Each contraction was held for 7-10 seconds, followed by a passive stretch. The technique was repeated for 3-5 cycles per session.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants in the age category of 25 to 50 years old.
• both male and female, with a diagnosis of low back pain (LBP), with or without referred leg pain.
• chronic LBP lasting more than three months.

Exclusion Criteria

• Osteoporosis.
• bone disease.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• History of vertebral fracture.
• History of spinal surgery.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Palestine Ahliya University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Azzam Alarab

Assistant Professor Chairperson, Department of Medical Sciences - Master's

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Palestine Ahliya University

Bethlehem, , Palestinian Territories

Countries

Palestinian Territories

Other Identifiers

PalestineAhliyaU

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id