Comparative Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Muscle Energy Technique of Iliopsoas Muscle on Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Objectives of current study are to compare effects by Muscle Energy Technique and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Non-specific Low Back Pain to reduce pain, gain range and overcome disability in female with iliopsoas tightness.

Randomised, Parallel, single blinded, Randomised Control Trial.

Out patient Department of Physical therapy unit in Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Patient was blinded of two different treatment protocols given in separate groups.

Female, Aged 20-50, having, Non-specific low back pain for past one month with Thomas test positive having Numeric Pain Rating Scale > 3, Hip Extension Range of Motion >10, Oswestry Disability Index Mild disability (5-34) will be included in study. Patients having carcinomas/tumors, spinal trauma history, anatomical deformities, Open wounds, Severe Osteoporosis, Numeric Pain Rating Scale > 8, Hip Extension Range of Motion > 40 (Hypermobility), Oswestry Disability Index score > 34, Past surgical history of thoracic or lower spine, Infections, Acute Inflammations, Unbearable sharp pain at joints, Wear and tear to soft tissues were excluded from the study

two intervention groups, Muscle Energy Technique and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation receiving a baseline treatment of Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation to Low Back along with their assigned treatment protocol. Muscle Energy Technique group was treated with Post isometric Relaxation technique on iliopsoas muscle to treat tightness of this muscle, bilaterally. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation group received Hold-Relax D1 Flexion-Extension pattern on Iliopsoas muscle bilaterally.

Pain, Hip extension Range of Motion bilaterally and Oswestry Disability Index

Method: Consecutive Random Sampling Unit of Randomization: Individuals Randomization Strata: no stratification needed, population was homogenous, (only female patients, having non-specific Low Back Pain, in Physical Therapy Outpatient Department of Allied Hospital Faisalabad Further division in groups: Tool: online randomization Generator How the Random sequence was built: using Online randomization generator, a list was obtained with 44 sample size dividing equally into two groups, Muscle Energy Technique and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation. according to list, very first patients received the assigned treatment ( as written in the list) and so on.

Study was single blinded. participants did not know about two different treatments being given to two separate groups. it was quite easy to carry out and maintain single blindness, as no tool was used for different treatment groups. desired treatments were manual.