Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Routine Physical Therapy on Quadratus Lumborum in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Comparative Effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Routine Physical Therapy on Quadratus Lumborum in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

•Null hypothesis: There is no difference in effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Routine Physical Therapy on Quadratus Lumborum in patients with chronic low back pain.

•Alternative hypothesis: There is difference in effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Routine Physical Therapy on Quadratus Lumborum in patients with chronic low back pain.

The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of Muscle Energy Technique and Routine Physical Therapy on Quadratus Lumborum in patients with chronic low back pain on Pain, Range of Motion, Quality of Life and Functional Disability.

The study procedure will be explained to the patients and informed written consent will be obtained from those patients who will be willing to participate in the study. Quadratus Lumborum tightness will be assessed using side bending test.

Those fulfilling the requirement of inclusion criteria will be indiscriminately separated into 2 groups. NPRS, Oswestry Disability Index, SF-20 and goniometer will be used to collect data.

Total 68 participants will be recruited in the study. Routine Physical therapy will be provided to group A. Reciprocal inhibition Muscle Energy Technique on quadratus lumborum along with Routine Physical Therapy will be performed on group B.

Both group will receive interventions three sessions in a week for 4 consecutive weeks.

Assessment of Pain, Range of motion, Quality of Life and Functional Disability will be assessed by using goniometer, NPRS, Oswestry Disability Index and SF-20 Questionnaire respectively for both groups at the baseline, end of 6th session (2nd week) and end of 12th session (4th week) and follow up will be obtained after 1 month (8th week).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Both genders of age 30 to 55 year.
• Patients with pain for at least three months or more (chronic stage).
• Patients having score of at least 3 on 0-10 points(NPRS).
• Diagnosed patients of low back pain.
• Non-radicular low back pain.
• Quadratus Lumborum tightness by physical test i.e. side bending test.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant females.
• Lumbar radiculopathy.
• Any spinal pathology i.e. infectious disease and fracture.
• Any congenital deformity of spine, upper and lower extremities.
• Systemic illnesses i.e. cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders etc.
• History of surgery of hip, pelvis, lumbar spine, disc herniation.