Effects of Muscle Energy Techniques Versus Core Stability Exercises in Pelvic Girdle Pain

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pelvic Girdle Pain

Treatments: Other: Muscle energy techniques

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05787158

REC/RCR & AHS/22/0546

Details and patient eligibility

About

PGP is referred to as a specific form of LBP which occurs isolatedly as well as in combination with lumbar back pain. PGP localized to the anterior or posterior pelvis, most commonly located between the posterior iliac crest and gluteal folds especially around the SI joint. Pelvic girdle pain radiated to the posterior thigh

Full description

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is known to be a musculoskeletal disorders which affects the pelvic bone. PGP is referred to as a specific form of LBP which occurs isolatedly as well as in combination with lumbar back pain. PGP localized to the anterior or posterior pelvis, most commonly located between the posterior iliac crest and gluteal folds especially around the SI joint. Pelvic girdle pain radiated to the posterior thigh. Moreover, it can also cause pain in the symphysis (1). Compared to lower back pain, PGP is substantially more painful and linked with functional limitations as standing, walking, sitting and changing positions are less tolerable in such patients (2). PGP is musculoskeletal in nature and is not caused by gynecological or urological conditions (3). Despite the fact that the cause of PGP is unknown, it is considered that it occurs due to many reasons such as trauma, arthritis, anatomical fault or it can be associated with pregnancy (4

Enrollment: 57 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Females of 25 to 40 years were included in this study.(20)
• Female patients who gave birth at least 6 months before.(20)
• Females who gave birth through vaginal delivery.(20)
• Females with at least three positive pain provocative tests such as posterior pelvic pain provocation test (P4), active straight leg raise test (ASLR), thigh thrust, Patrick's Faber test, Gaenslen's test and distraction test.(20)
• History of pain around the pelvic girdle, lower back or between the posterior iliac crest and the gluteal fold, difficulty in walking and/or pain when putting weight on one leg

Exclusion criteria

• Females who suffered from grade 3 or 4 vaginal tears during their pregnancy (20)
• Females who underwent episiotomy during delivery (20)
• Females who delivered through caesarean section (20)
• Postpartum females with a history of trauma to the pelvic region (20)
• Postpartum females with a history of pelvic surgery
• Postpartum females with a history of other orthopedic disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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57 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A

Experimental group

Description:

Group A: 20 patients were included in this group. This studygroup was assigned with basic treatment protocol with 15 minutes of TENS and thermal therapy for 10 minutes followed by muscle energy technique (Post facilitation stretching exercises). The intervention was given three days per weekfor six weeks. Each total session lasted for 45minutes. METs were applied for the weakened muscles.

Treatment:

Other: Muscle energy techniques

Group B

Active Comparator group

Description:

Group B: 20 Patients of this group were given core stability exercises by the female physical therapist in three different levels. Each level continued for a duration of two weeks in which the patients were trained for the exercises. The patients were provided sessions thrice per week with 2 sets of 10 repetitions and a hold of 10 second after TENS for 15 minutes and thermal therapy for 10 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Muscle energy techniques