Comparative Analysis of Muscle Energy Technique and Conventional Physiotherapy in Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Purpose of Study

Lumbar manipulation and conventional physiotherapy, both had reported significant results for low back pain (LBP) due to sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD). In lumbar manipulation, Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) is frequently used for pain relief and increase range of motion. MET is an active technique in which the patient voluntarily contract specific muscle against the resistance of clinician. Unfortunately, no study has examined the effectiveness of MET in comparison to conventional physiotherapy.

Material and Method

This study was to compare the MET and conventional physiotherapy in treating low back pain due to SI joint dysfunction. It was a comparative study in which 30 subjects were recruited from Department of Physiotherapy, Christian Medical College and Hospital, both male and female age between 18-35 years complaining of low back pain (more than 3 months) due to SI joint dysfunction (anterior innomiate type)and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) reading were taken before the treatment. Subjects randomly grouped into 2 groups, Group A (n=15) (MET & corrective exercises were given) Group B (n=15) (TENS & corrective exercises were given). Total 6 treatment sessions were given and then the ODI & NPRS readings were taken at the end to treatment sessions (6th day of treatment).

Result

After data analysis with student’s ‘t’ test the mean difference ± standard deviation for ODI relief (%) for Group A and Group B were 7.49 ± 5.709 and 7.49 ± 3.391 and that for numeric pain rating relief for Group A and Group B were 0.80 ± 0.737 and 0.8. ± 0.507. The average of Oswestry Disability Index (%) relief decrease for Group A is 27.15% and for Group B it is 19.67 %and the average of numeric pain rating scale relief for Group A is 3.40and for Group B is 2.60.

Conclusion

The result of the study showed that along with corrective exercises, MET is moderately significant over conventional physiotherapy i.e. TENS with corrective exercises in improving functional ability and decreasing pain.