Effects of Stecco Fascial Manipulation Versus Muscle Energy Technique on Pain Pressure Threshold, Range of Motion and Disability Among Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Overview

This study holds significant importance as it directly addresses the need for effective physiotherapy interventions in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a condition that contributes substantially to lower back pain and disability. By comparing the effects of Fascial Manipulation and Muscle Energy Technique on pain pressure threshold, disability, and range of motion, the study provides evidence-based guidance for clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment. The findings can help physiotherapists develop more targeted rehabilitation plans, improve patient outcomes, and reduce treatment time. Additionally, this research adds to the limited literature available on stecco fascial manipulation and muscle energy technique approaches for SI joint dysfunction and may encourage further studies to refine and expand conservative management strategies. Ultimately, the study benefits both healthcare professionals and patients by promoting more efficient, safe, and effective physiotherapy care.

Detailed description

Pain and stiffness experienced from the Sacroiliac joint is referred to as sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction. SIJ dysfunction typically results from abnormal motion and malalignment of the joint .Patients usually complain of deep-seated pain, which extends down the posterior thigh and up to the knee. Pain can frequently mimic and be misdiagnosed as radicular pain. SIJ dysfunction is not only a source of pain but also a significant contributor to functional disability, negatively affecting an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living.SIJD is curable with medical and physical therapy interventions. The standard physical therapy (PT) interventions include manual joint mobilization, manipulation, bracing, massage, patient education, aerobic conditioning, muscle energy technique, and electrotherapeutic modalities such as heat, ultrasound, TENS, and lumbar exercises. Lumbar exercises included knee to the same shoulder stretch, quadriceps stretch, hamstring stretch, posterior pelvic tilt, conventional back-bridge, conventional back-bridge with elevated one leg, and sit-up. Although the effectiveness of the muscle energy technique on sacroiliac joint dysfunction to reduce pain and improve functional mobility. Two sessions per week for four weeks. In Recent research has investigated the effectiveness of Fascial Manipulation (FM) Stecco method in individuals with SIJ dysfunction. A total of 52 participants will be randomly allocated into two intervention groups and will undergo stecco fascial manipulation and muscle energy technique over a period of 4 weeks.Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, 1st weeks, and 4th week including pain self efficacy questionear(PSEQ), Algometer(Pain pressure threshold), Disability(oswetry disbility index) and lumber range of motion( Goniometer). Therefore the study aims to compare the effect of stecco fascial manipulation and muscle energy technique on pain pressure thresold, range of motion, and disability among patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, in order to provide evidence based guidence for clinical practice.

Interventions

• Other Stecco fascial manipulation
  Stecco myofascial manipulation on the retro-lumbi which are located over the muscle bellies of the erector spinae at the T12- L1 level, retro-talus which are located in the myotendinous passage of the gastrocnemius, retro-thorax, which are located over the muscle bellies of the erector spinae, at the level of T4-T5, extra-thorax, which are located medially to the scapula, at the level of the scapular spine, over the rhomboid and serratus posterior superior muscle, extra-lumbi which are situated
• Other Muscle energy technique
  MET was applied in two forms: Anterior and posterior dysfunction of the SIJ. The MET technique for correction of anterior dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint was performed by placing the individual in a lateral position on the opposite side to that of the dysfunction. The blocked leg was taken by the examiner, while the unaffected leg remained extended on the stretcher. The leg was placed in hip flexion until the first point of tension that prevented the posterior rotation of the ilium was found

Primary outcome measures

• Goniometer [Time frame: [ baseline, 4 weeks( followup)]]
• Pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ) [Time frame: baseline, 4 weeks (follow up)]
• Algometer: [Time frame: baseline, 4 weeks(followup)]
• Oswestry disability index (ODI) [Time frame: baseline, 4 weeks ( followup)]]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:Age between 30-45.

• Both male and female.
• Participants with a medical diagnosis of SIJD (posterior innominate and anterior innominate), pain and tenderness at PSIS, Sacral Sulcus, Ilia.
• Pain in the paraspinal muscles, gluteal or groin region, and radiating to either leg.
• 3 Positive special tests for SIJD (Faber test, Thigh thrust test, Distraction test, compression test, and Gaenslen test).
• Pain lasting for less than 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with leg length discrepancy.
• Subjects with any pathology observed in the lower extremity.
• Subjects with pre-diagnosed tumors of the hip and spine.
• Pregnancy.
• Subjects with any history of recent trauma involving the lower limb.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Double blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center

• Lahore General Hospital — Lahore

Publications

• Hughes L, Paton B, Rosenblatt B, Gissane C, Patterson SD. Blood flow restriction training in clinical musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Jul;51(13):1003-1011. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097071. Epub 2017 Mar 4. PMID 28259850
• Centner C, Wiegel P, Gollhofer A, Konig D. Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Older Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2019 Jan;49(1):95-108. doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0994-1. PMID 30306467
• Sorensen B, Aagaard P, Hjortshoj MH, Hansen SK, Suetta C, Couppe C, Magnusson SP, Johannsen FE. Physiological and clinical effects of low-intensity blood-flow restricted resistance exercise compared to standard rehabilitation in adults with knee osteoarthritis-Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2023 Dec 14;18(12):e0295666. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295666. eCollection 2023. PMID 38096198
• Harper SA, Roberts LM, Layne AS, Jaeger BC, Gardner AK, Sibille KT, Wu SS, Vincent KR, Fillingim RB, Manini TM, Buford TW. Blood-Flow Restriction Resistance Exercise for Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial. J Clin Med. 2019 Feb 21;8(2):265. doi: 10.3390/jcm8020265. PMID 30795545
• Freitas EDS, Miller RM, Heishman AD, Aniceto RR, Silva JGC, Bemben MG. Perceptual responses to continuous versus intermittent blood flow restriction exercise: A randomized controlled trial. Physiol Behav. 2019 Dec 1;212:112717. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112717. Epub 2019 Oct 17. PMID 31629764

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07723014 · UBAS/ERB/26/04/024

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗