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NCT Number: NCT06986707

Strain Counterstrain Technique and Graston Technqiue on Quadratus Lumborum Trigger Points

Poor body mechanics and posture affects body positioning and stresses quadratus lumborum muscle which ultimately leads to myofascial trigger points in muscle. This study aims to compare the effects of Strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique on trigger points of quadratus lumborum in nonspecific low back patients. This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in Riphah Rehabilitation Clinic Lahore and SPARC Physiotherapy Clinic Lahore. Non-probability convenient sampling will be used to collect the data. Sample size of 34 subjects with age group between 20-45 years will be taken. baseline and after 4 weeks. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 25.

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Key information

Conditions

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial Back Pain Low Back Pain Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Myofascial Pain Syndromes Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kishwar sultana hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54920, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Hira Shaukat, TDPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

03360405480

Sibgha Khalid, MS-OMPT

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

Researches have been conducted about effect of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization versus kinesiotape for chronic mechanical low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Introduction. The objective was to compare the effect of conventional program, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and kinesiotape (KT) in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP). 51 participants were randomly enrolled into three equal groups. Group A (n = 17) received conventional program, Group B (n = 17) received conventional program plus IASTM, and Group C (n = 17) received conventional program plus KT. The participants were evaluated before and after eight sessions using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure algometer, dual inclinometer, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). It was concluded that Conventional program, IASTM and KT are effective methods for improving pain, ROM and function on CMLBP..Low back pain especially which is not related to any specific disease has become very common nowadays. Almost every other person complains about back pain. While there have been numerous studies on low back pain and its treatments but limited work has done on both techniques, the strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique. This study aims to determine the comparison of strain counterstrain technique and Graston technique on trigger points of quadratus lumborum among patients with non-specific low back pain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participant's age range 20-45 years
  • Both genders.
  • Individuals having low back pain for atleast 12 weeks with limited segmental mobility especially after maintaining certain prolonged posture .
  • Individuals with localized pain and tenderness at attachments of quadratus lumborum due to the presence of trigger points (unilateral or bilateral).
  • positive segmental mobility assessment at the level of L4 and L5 on one side or on both sides
  • Patients having moderate pain on NPRS

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with anticoagulation or bleeding disorders, acute muscle trauma, infections, lumbar disc herniation, spinal deformities, or a history of spinal surgery or anticoagulation medication
  • Orthopedic surgery or any other low back surgery .
  • Fracture of vertebrae and any lower limb injury

Treatment and study plan

Strain counterstrain technique

Other

Group A: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes (repeated 2 sets in each session)

  • 1 day per week
  • 4 weeks protocol

Graston Technique

Other

GROUP B: Conventional treatment will be given for 45 minutes Before starting procedure, brisk walking or stretching is done for 4- 5 minutes

  • Applying heat for 3-4 minutes to warm the area
  • 40 seconds on right side
  • 40 seconds on left side
  • 1 day per week
  • 4 weeks protocol After treatment, apply Ice for 2 minutes

Primary outcomes

  1. Oswestry Disability Index

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) a patient-completed questionnaire which gives a subjective percentage score of level of function (disability) in activities of daily living in those rehabilitating from low back pain. This is a 10-item index: 8 of them are related to activities of daily living and 2 refer to pain. The score of each item ranges from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater disability. The total score is expressed as percentage

Secondary outcomes

  1. Inclinometer

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    An inclinometer will be placed on the T12-L1 and L5-S1 spinal interspaces and zeroed with the patient in neutral standing position. The examiner asked the patient to bend forward maximally and then recorded the motion. Lumbar flexion will be represented by the difference in motion between the upper and lower inclinometers (12).

  2. Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS):

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Patient level of pain will be assessed using this scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 10. 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst pain"

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Imran Amjad, phD

CONTACT

[email protected]

03324390125

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Strain Counterstrain Technique and Graston Technique on Trigger Points of Quadratus Lumborum Among Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 23, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 4, 2025

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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