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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05660005

Self Myofascial Release in Individuals With Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is pain that extends from the hip to the knee, caused by the pressure of the piriformis muscle in the hip on the sciatic nerve. There is no valid protocol for the treatment of this syndrome. Physiotherapists generally use hip strengthening exercises and modalities for pain. In this study, in addition to the classical treatment, we will give two different programs consisting of self-myofascial relaxation and stretching exercises to two different groups for 4 weeks as home exercise. We will question the level of pain that people felt in the hip before starting the exercises and at the 4th week after starting the exercises and measured the hip joint range of motion.

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Key information

Conditions

Piriformis Muscle 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 Sciatic Neuropathy Sciatica Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gizem Ergezen

Istanbul, Beykoz, 34810, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a condition caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness. Although conservative treatment includes hip muscle strengthening and stretching, there is no proven treatment method in the literature.

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of stretching and myofascial release added to standard physiotherapy treatment in piriformis syndrome.

This prospective, randomized controlled study will be planned to completed with 64 individuals between the ages of 20-40. Participants will be randomized into the Piriformis Muscle Stretch Group (PiM-S) and Piriformis Muscle Self Myofascial Release Group (PiM-SMR). Both groups will be included in a home program of muscle strengthening exercises for 4 weeks. And groups will be subjected to perform stretching and self-myofascial relaxation exercises, respectively, in addition to the home exercise program. The primary outcome of the study is pain intensity, and the secondary outcome is determined as the range of motion (ROM) of the hip.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and female participants
  • Aged 20 to 40 years
  • Presented leg or hip posterior compartment pain
  • Diagnosed with chronic PS and without any other source of pain

Exclusion criteria

  • Any pathology or acute injury around the hip, sacroiliac joint, or lumbar spine;
  • Limb length discrepancy,
  • Recent buttock trauma,
  • Deep gluteal syndrome,
  • Extrapelvic compression of the sciatic nerve or sacral plexus ischiogluteal/ischiofemoral bursitis or impingement, Upper hamstring tendinitis,
  • Fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome
  • Pregnancy.

Treatment and study plan

Muscle stretching

Other

Stretching based on the FAIR (flexion, adduction and internal rotation) position, which provides the most effective stretching on the piriformis muscle, was demonstrated, and a illustrated brochure containing the explanatory information of the application was given to the group participants. With the ipsilateral hip flexion, adduction and internal rotation, the foot is positioned to the lateral side of the contralateral knee, thus long-term passive stretching is targeted in this position. Individuals were asked to leave a 2-days gap between the two stretching exercise sessions by performing 10 repetitions (minimum duration of 15 s stretching, 30 s rest period between repetitions) 3 sets and 3 days of a week.

Other names: Piriformis Muscle Stretching

Self Myofascial Release

Other

The patient was presented with the anatomically localized area of the PiM on a visual anatomy map and they were encouraged to find this area on their body. They were asked to verify the trigger points along the PiM and then sat on the trigger points with the help of a tennis ball. Individuals were taught the PiM-SMR exercise, in which they would make forward-backward, right-left, diagonal and circular movements on the ball using their body weight. There was a continuation of the application with an interval of 2 days; 3 times a day with 10 repetitions (the application was for 1 min and 30s rest period between repetitions).

Home Exercises

Other

The exercise brochure consists of 5 different exercises that include isometric and isotonic strengthening of the hip and surrounding muscles. Isometric contraction of gluteus maximus, hip march, external/internal rotation of hips with theraband, 4 sided straight leg raises were the exercises and prescribed 5 days a week, 10 repetitions, 3 sets. All participants were advised to use analgesics determined by the physician in case of unbearable pain and to apply a hot pack for 10-20 minutes before sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The severity of sciatic pain extending along the hip and leg was questioned with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The assessment was based on a horizontal 10 cm scale from 1 (least pain) to 10 (the worst pain ever)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Extension Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Extension ROM was measured while the individual was in the pronee position, the pivot point of the goniometer at the trochanter major, the moving arm aligned on the lateral midline of the femur, and the stable arm aligned parallel to the ground.

  2. Flexion Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Flexion ROM was measured while the individual was in the supine position, the pivot point of the goniometer at the trochanter major, the moving arm aligned on the lateral midline of the femur, and the stable arm aligned parallel to the ground.

  3. Adduction Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Adduction ROM were evaluated in the supine position, with the pivot point on the anterior projection of the trochanter major, the stable arm parallel to the anterior superior of the spina iliaca, and the moving arm on the anterior midline of the femur. Femur approached to the midline

  4. Abduction Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Abduction and adduction ROM were evaluated in the supine position, with the pivot point on the anterior projection of the trochanter major, the stable arm parallel to the anterior superior of the spina iliaca, and the moving arm on the anterior midline of the femur. During the evaluation of abduction, attention was paid to the absence of external rotation of the hip and the absence of internal rotation of the hip in adduction.

  5. External Rotation Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The measurement was taken in a prone position, with the knees flexed to 90°, pivot point on the tibial tubercle, with the stable arm perpendicular to the ground and the mobile arm following the tibial crista. During the evaluation, attention was paid to the absence of hip adduction and abduction movement. Knee turned externally

  6. Internal Rotation Range of motion of the hip angle

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The measurement was taken in a prone position, with the knees flexed to 90°, pivot point on the tibial tubercle, with the stable arm perpendicular to the ground and the mobile arm following the tibial crista. During the evaluation, attention was paid to the absence of hip adduction and abduction movement. Knee turned internally

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Medipol University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Self Myofascial Release and Stretching Exercises in Individuals With Piriformis Syndrome

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Dec 21, 2022
Registry last updated
Dec 21, 2022

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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