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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07118787

Active Release Technique Verses Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Hamstring Flexibility in Patients Having Specific Low Back Pain

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether Active Release Technique (ART) or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is more effective in improving hamstring flexibility in adults with specific low back pain. It will also look at how these treatments affect pain and movement.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does ART or PNF improve hamstring flexibility more in people with specific low back pain?

Do participants report reduced pain and better movement after receiving either treatment?

Researchers will compare the effects of ART and PNF to see which method works better for improving flexibility and reducing pain.

Participants will:

Receive either ART or PNF therapy for 2 weeks

Attend regular physiotherapy sessions during the treatment period

Be assessed before and after treatment for hamstring flexibility and pain levels

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

25 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lahore Poly Clinic, social security hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

About this study

This randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) in improving hamstring flexibility among individuals with specific low back pain. Reduced hamstring flexibility is a common contributing factor in low back dysfunction, and identifying the most effective manual therapy technique can guide more targeted physical therapy interventions.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either ART or PNF over a 2-week intervention period. Both groups received treatment administered by trained physiotherapists using standardized protocols. ART focused on applying specific manual pressure to soft tissues while moving the muscle through its range of motion, while PNF employed contract-relax stretching techniques to promote muscle lengthening and neuromuscular facilitation.

Participants were evaluated at baseline and after the completion of the intervention for changes in hamstring flexibility, with secondary observations on pain reduction and functional improvement. The study adhered to ethical standards, and all participants provided informed consent prior to participation.

The trial contributes to evidence-based physiotherapy by offering comparative insight into two widely used manual techniques in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients having chronic low backache having hamstring tightness referred from orthopedic department
  • Patients having lumber disc budge, spinal spondylosis
  • Age group 25-40 years, having pain more than 3 months
  • Minimum 20-degree restriction in SLR unilaterally Both male and female

Exclusion criteria

  • Any history of injury in lower extremities in past 3 months
  • Knee osteoarthritis patients, knee deformities, discitis, osteomyelitis
  • Patients with injury of back, constant or severe persistent pain, inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal infection lumber spondylolisthesis, and lumber spondylolysis.
  • Any pregnancy, history of previous surgery or fracture and history of radiculopathy or neuropathic pain.

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Treatment and study plan

Active Release Technique

Other

A manual therapy technique applied to release soft tissue tension in the hamstrings.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation

Other

A stretching technique involving passive stretching and isometric contractions of the hamstrings.

Primary outcomes

  1. Hamstring Flexibility (measured by Passive Straight Leg Raise Test)

    Time frame: at baseline then at 2nd and at 4th week after the last Session

    Flexibility of the hamstring muscle will be measured using a goniometer during the Passive Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity (measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale - NPRS)

    Time frame: at baseline then at 2nd and at 4th week after the last Session

    Participants will rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Lahore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Active Release Technique Verses Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on Hamstring Flexibility in Patients Having Specific Low Back Pain

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 12, 2025
Registry last updated
Jan 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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