A Study on the Efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique as Compared to Conventional Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain Due to Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Purpose of the Study

To determine the relative efficacy of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) as compared to Conventional Therapy in chronic low back pain due to Sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Materials and Methods

30 patients 24 females and 6 males aged 30 - 50 yrs (41 ± 7.61), with a height of 158 ± 7.34 cm and weight of 66.2 ± 10.59 kg whose primary reported symptom was chronic low back pain were included for the study. The study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 involved screening of Sacroiliac joint (SIJD) in the subjects having chronic low back pain (LBP) of greater than 3 months duration on the basis of subjective history and assessment criteria. The subjects who were tested positive for SIJD were made to sign an informed consent and included in the Phase 2 where they were randomly divided in to two groups: Group I Experimental Group (MET) Group II Conventional Therapy Group

Dependent Variables

(1) Pain perception on VAS, (2) Disability score on Revised Oswestry Disability Index, (3) Apparent functional leg length measurement using tape measure. The subjects in both the groups were treated for 6 days and Post treatment measurements (Day 6) were compared with Pre treatment (Day 1) measurements using appropriate statistical analysis.

Results

The apparent functional leg length difference found in SIJD could be restored to near normal in MET group. As far as reduction in pain and disability are concerned, both the groups showed almost similar results.

Conclusion

The present study concludes that SIJD (hypomobility) is a significant contributor and must be ruled out in each and every subject suffering from chronic LBP. It can be diagnosed on the basis of history and cluster of physical tests and can be successfully managed using MET alongwith Conventional Therapy.