Examining the Effects of a Mobilization With Movement and a Dynamic Stretch With Over Pressure on Hip Flexion.

Examining the Effects of a Posterolateral Mobilization With Movement (MWM) and a Dynamic Stretch With Over Pressure on Hip Flexion: A Randomized Control Trial.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a mobilization with movement (MWM) technique performed by a physical therapist with those of a dynamic stretch with over pressure on active hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in those with active hip flexion ROM limitations. There is limited evidence available in the literature examining the therapeutic effects of MWM at the hip, the long term effects of MWM, or whether one modality is more effective than another. This study seeks to address these gaps in the literature by directly comparing the results of these two manual therapy interventions on active hip flexion ROM.

This study aims to compare the effects of a therapist-performed mobilization with movement (MWM) technique with those of a dynamic stretch with over pressure on active hip flexion range of motion (ROM) in those with active hip flexion ROM limitations.Those individuals from the University of South Carolina's Department of Physical Therapy (UofSC DPT) community who are interested in becoming study participants will be identified by means of announcements made in the Seminar in Physical Therapy course which is attended by all students, faculty, and staff of UofSC DPT each week. Interested individuals will be provided with Cathy Arnot's email address in order to schedule an evaluation session to determine whether or not they meet the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria. In addition, Sarah Cooper will attend a staff meeting at Vertex PT Specialists to make an announcement and provide the attendees with Cathy Arnot's email for inquiries. Participants will be assigned to either the MWM group or the dynamic stretch with over pressure group via blocked randomization for sex and age, with at least seventeen participants being placed into each group. The MWM group participants will receive a therapist-performed MWM technique and a prescription for a home exercise program (HEP) consisting of a dynamic stretch with over pressure to be performed once a day over the course of the following week. The dynamic stretch with over pressure group participants will receive only the prescription for the HEP consisting of the dynamic stretch with over pressure to be performed once a day over the following week. Measurements will be assessed at four time points: Immediately before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, 24 hours after the intervention, and one week after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The sole inclusion criterion will be a limitation in hip flexion to less than 101 degrees in both hips.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any traumatic injury to or surgical procedure performed upon the lower extremities within the last six months
• Any contraindication to dynamic stretching, weight-bearing rotation, or MWM of the hip joint
• Any dermatologic pathology in the area of the strap application
• Any pain provoked by active hip flexion.