Bowen Technique and Post Isometric Relaxation in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis

Treatments: Other: Bowen Technique; Other: Post Isometric Relaxation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05723029

REC/RCR & AHS/22/0156

Details and patient eligibility

About

The Hamstring muscles are present at the posterior surface of the thigh. The muscles start in the gluteal region and run back of the thigh and insert into the popliteal fossa. The function of hamstring muscles flexes the knee and extension of the thigh. In degenerative joint disease, muscles tightness of the lower extremity leads to a decrease in joint flexibility. In knee joint osteoarthritis, hamstring muscles are more prone to tightness. The objective of this study is to compare the effects of the Bowen technique and Post Isometric Relaxation on pain, range of motion, and hamstring flexibility in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Full description

This study will be a randomized clinical trial and will be conducted at Al- Mustafa Medical and Physiotherapy Center. The study will be completed within the time duration of six months. For data collection, a convenient sampling technique will be used. The Population will be diagnosed with osteoarthritis patients. A sample size of total 24 patients will be taken in this study. The measurement tool will be Active knee extension test, Goniometer and Numeric pain rating scale. The pre-test and post-test outcome measurement will be taken. Patients will be divided into two groups. Group A will receive the Bowen technique intervention and Group B will receive the Post Isometric Relaxation technique. The interventions groups will receive three sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Symptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness
• Both male and female
• Age between 45 to 65
• O degree to 20-degree active knee extension loss
• Subject with inter-articular knee joint pathology
• Diagnosed osteoarthritis patients
• Grade 1 to 4 Osteoarthritis

Exclusion criteria

• Subject history of lower extremity injury
• Any Neurological symptoms or radiating pain
• Any lower limb deformity
• Any fracture or Surgery is done for knee

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A: Bowen Technique

Experimental group

Description:

The subjects will receive Bowen Technique. The treatment session will be 3 times per week for 4 weeks for 20 minutes. The Bowen technique is a subtle and precise mobilization called Bowen moves. The mobilization is applied by using the fingers and thumbs over muscles, tendon, nerves and fascia. Only gentle non-invasive pressure is applied. A Bowen moves challenges the muscles for several seconds by the application of a gentle lateral pressure applied by the therapist thumb, against its medial edge. The muscle fibres and its fascia are disturbed from their neutral position and they are slightly stretched. The therapist apply gentle pressure towards the muscles using the skin slack available, and then rolls the thumb across the muscles and gently compressing it, the muscle will bounce back to its original position. The therapist has a sense of tissue tension, and this enables his/her to feel where stress has built up in the tissue.

Treatment:

Other: Bowen Technique

Group B: Post Isometric Relaxation Technique

Experimental group

Description:

The subjects will receive Post Isometric Relaxation Technique. Treatment session includes 3 times per week for 4 weeks for 20 minutes. Evaluation will be done before and after the treatment at the end of the 4th week. The outcome will be measured by the Active Knee Extension test, Numeric pain Rating Scale, and Goniometer. Post Isometric Relaxation is performed in supine position on treatment table. The therapist passively flexed the hip and knee at the 90 degrees and then passively extends the knee until the point of tissue resistance. Patient placed their leg on therapist shoulder and contracts his hamstring muscles by pushing down on the therapist shoulder for 10 seconds. After the contraction, patient is asked to relax, then therapist passively stretch to gain new range of muscles. The intervention is performed three times in a single session with 30 seconds rest intervals.

Treatment:

Other: Post Isometric Relaxation