Clinical trial NCT04588779: Graston vs Manual Myofascial Release Technique in Piriformis Syndrome.
Official title: Comparison of Graston and Manual Myofacial Release Technique in Patients With Piriformis Syndrome.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Piriformis Syndrome
Keywords: Graston technique
Myofascial release
Lower extremity functional scale
Piriformis syndrome
Lead sponsor: Riphah International University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2020-10-19
Enrollment: 30
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Both groups were treated simultaneously with their specified treatment techniques within given duration.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The objective of our study is to compare the effects of Graston and manual myofascial release technique on pain, muscle length and functional status in patients with Piriformis syndrome.

Detailed description: In 2019, a study was conducted to conclude the effectiveness of Passive stretching v/s Myofascial release in improving Piriformis flexibility in females. They reported that myofascial release was more valuable than passive stretching exercises in enhancing piriformis flexibility in patients with piriformis tightness.

According to another study in 2018, after a single treatment, compressive myofascial release showed more improvement in ankle dorsiflexion than Graston technique, in participants with decrease dorsiflexion range.

In 2016, a study reported the effects of the Graston technique and general exercise in patients with chronic low back pain. Graston group showed greater improvement in pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain.

According to a study conducted in 2014, self-myofascial release was more effective than Graston technique in improving knee joint flexibility, hamstring, and quadriceps strength.

In 2011, a study evaluated the effectiveness of deep soft tissue mobilization techniques and stretching exercises in piriformis syndrome and found that the deep soft tissue mobilization techniques along with stretching exercises significantly improved the piriformis syndrome.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:•

* Pain more than 1 month.
* Piriformis syndrome diagnosed through screening test (FAIR test, Beatty test, Freiberg test, Sign of Pace)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Leg pain due to causes other than piriformis syndrome.
* Congenital spinal deformity.
* History of fracture.
* History of back or hip surgery.
* Any systemic illness like metastatic or infective disorders.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Numeric Pain Rating Scale
timeFrame: 9th day
measure: Piriformis muscle length
timeFrame: 9th day
measure: Lower extremity functional scale
timeFrame: 9th day
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Straight leg raise
timeFrame: 9th day
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Islamabad
country: Pakistan
facility: Federal government polyclinic hospital
state: Fedral
Study officials:
affiliation: Riphah International University
name: Asghar Khan, Phd
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Kukadia HA, Malshikare A, Palekar TJ. Effect of Passive Stretching v/s Myofascial Release in Improving Piriformis Flexibility in Females-A Comparative Study. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy-An International Journal. 2019;13(4):57-61.
citation: Stanek J, Sullivan T, Davis S. Comparison of Compressive Myofascial Release and the Graston Technique for Improving Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion. J Athl Train. 2018 Feb;53(2):160-167. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-386-16. Epub 2018 Jan 26.
citation: Lee JH, Lee DK, Oh JS. The effect of Graston technique on the pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jun;28(6):1852-5. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.1852. Epub 2016 Jun 28.
citation: Kim D-H, Ms T-HK, Jung D-Y, Weon J-H. Effects of the graston technique and self-myofascial release on the range of motion of a knee joint. Journal of Korean Society of Physical Medicine. 2014;9(4):455-63.
citation: Awan WA, Babur MN. EFFECTIVENESS OF DEEP FRICTION MASSAGE & STRETCHING EXERCISES IN PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME. IJCRB. 2011:378.