IJPR.2017.144

Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 3 (June 2017)

Page No.: 2082-2087

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2017.144

ADDED EFFECT OF MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NONSPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN

Priyanka Dhargalkar *1, Anjali Kulkarni 2, Snehal Ghodey 3.

*1 Student, BPTh Intern, MAEERS’ Physiotherapy College, Talegaon-Dabhade, India.

2 Assistant Professor, MAEERS’ Physiotherapy College, Talegaon-Dabhade, India.

3 HOD and Principal, MAEERS’ Physiotherapy College, Talegaon-Dabhade, India.

Address for correspondence: Priyanka Dhargalkar, Student, BPTh Intern, MAEERS’ Physiotherapy College, Talegaon-Dabhade. E-mail: priyankadhargalkar@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: Low back pain is a considerable health problem in all developed countries and is most commonly treated in primary healthcare settings.

Improving functional performance in patients with chronic low back pain is of primary importance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) along with supervised exercises, hot pack and TENS to improve functional performance in subjects with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Methods and Measures: 30 subjects, including both males and females diagnosed with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomly assigned into 2 treatment groups. Patients were selected according to inclusion criteria and positive muscle length tests of Quadratus Lumborum, Erector Spinae, Iliopsoas and Tensor Fascia Latae. The control group received supervised exercises, hot pack and TENS while the experimental group received the same exercises along with MET. Both groups received the selected treatment 9 sessions over a 3-week period (3 sessions per week). Patients completed an Oswestry Disability Index on their first and ninth treatment session and the scores were calculated.

Results: Paired t test was used to analyse the ODI within the group. Unpaired t-test was used for between the analyses of ODI for both the control and experimental groups. A 2-tailed p value (P- 0.0006) demonstrated a statistically significant difference, with the experimental group showing greater improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index score than the control group.

Conclusion: MET has got added beneficial effect for decreasing disability and improving function in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain along with supervised exercises, hot pack and TENS.

Key Words: Muscle Energy Technique (MET), Nonspecific Low Back Pain, ODI (Oswestry Disability Index), Exercises.

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Cite this article: Priyanka Dhargalkar, Anjali Kulkarni, Snehal Ghodey. ADDED EFFECT OF MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NONSPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN. Int J Physiother Res 2017;5(3):2082-2087. DOI: 10.16965/ijpr.2017.144