Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07484373

Effects of Hip Abductor Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Piriformis Syndrome

The study was conducted to determine the effects of hip abductor strengthening exercises on pain, range of motion, and lower extremity function in patients with piriformis syndrome.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Piriformis Syndrome Mononeuropathies Nerve Compression Syndromes Nervous System Diseases Neuralgia Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pelvic Pain Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Piriformis Muscle Syndrome Sciatic Neuropathy Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hashir Ali clinic

Lahore, Punjab Province, 40100, Pakistan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and Females between 18 and 45 .
  • Unilateral involvement, Onset of pain not > 2 weeks.
  • Grade 1-3 Tenderness at piriformis muscle.
  • Numeric pain rating scale>3and equal to, <6.
  • Any three positive test among Piriformis Test, Beatty Test, Freiberg Test, FAIR Test, Sign of Pace & Nagel.

Exclusion criteria

Positive Leagues' sign.

  • Any pathology or recent injury around hip, knee and SI joint .
  • Fracture of femur & hip joint dislocation.
  • Pain due to neurological, spinal or pelvic origin.
  • Limb length discrepancy .
  • Stenosis of spine and disc herniation .
  • Any postural abnormality/ deformity .
  • Tumors and facet joint pathology.
  • Congenital or acquired abnormality in the spinal column .
  • Pregnancy .
  • Neurological conditions like, CVA, Parkinson's disease, non-cooperative & subjects with psychological impairment .

Treatment and study plan

Progressive Hip Abductor Strengthening Exercises

Other

Experimental Group (Hip Abductor Strengthening + Baseline Physiotherapy) A structured hip abductor strengthening program divided into three progressive phases over four weeks, along with baseline physiotherapy treatment.

Phase I (Week 1 - Non-weight bearing / Isolated activation) Exercises: Bridging, Side-lying clam exercises, Side-lying hip abduction, Towel squeeze Dosage: 3 × 15 repetitions Phase II (Week 2 - Weight-bearing strengthening) Exercises: Squats, Side-stepping, Single-limb sit-to-stand, Step-up/Step-down, Leg press Dosage: 3 × 15 repetitions Phase III (Weeks 3-4 - Dynamic/Functional training) Exercises: Forward lunges, Double-limb jump Dosage: Week 3 → 3 × 15 repetitions Week 4 → 5 × 20 repetitions

Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment

Other

conventional Physiotherapy treatment

  • Hydro-collateral pack for 10 minutes over piriformis muscle (40°C)
  • Pulsed ultrasound for 10 minutes at 2.25 W/cm²
  • Piriformis stretching maneuver (20-second hold × 10 repetitions)

Primary outcomes

  1. Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)

    Time frame: From enrolment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

    The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess lower extremity functional status in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. It consists of 20 items related to daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, squatting, and running. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = extreme difficulty/unable to perform, 4 = no difficulty), with a maximum total score of 80. Higher scores indicate better functional ability. The LEFS is widely used due to its high reliability, validity, and responsiveness in evaluating functional improvement over time.

  2. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)

    Time frame: from enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

    The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a subjective measure used to assess pain intensity. Patients are asked to rate their current pain level on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "worst imaginable pain." It is simple, quick to administer, and clinically reliable for monitoring changes in pain over time. A reduction of 2 points or more is generally considered clinically meaningful improvement

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hip Abduction range of motion

    Time frame: from enrollment to the end of treatment.

    Changes in hip abduction range of motion at baseline and 4 weeks of intervention were measured using a universal goniometer.

  2. Hip external roration ROM

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks.

    Changes in hip external rotation range of motion at baseline and 4 weeks of intervention were measured using a universal goniomete

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Hip Abductor Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Lower Extremity Function in Patients With Piriformis Syndrome

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 20, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.