Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus PNF Stretching in Athletes With Piriformis Syndrome

NCT07090356 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/24/0460
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

A 12-month randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Pakistan Sports Board, Lahore, with 40 athletes (18-35 years) randomly allocated to IASTM (n=20) or PNF (n=20) groups. Interventions were administered 3 times/week for 4 weeks. Outcomes included Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric hip ROM, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Conditions

Piriformis Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  6 weeks

• Hip ROM

  Goniometry

  6 weeks

• Oswestry Disability Index

  Questionaire

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

EXPERIMENTAL

IASTM therapy will be provided to participants in whom a specialized instrument wwill be used to apply controlled pressure over the piriformis muscle as well as surrounding soft tissues.

Other: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching

EXPERIMENTAL

PNF stretching (contract relax; hold relax) was implemented to stretch participants' muscles as flexibly and with as much control as possible.

Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching

Interventions

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization OTHER

IASTM therapy will be provided to participants in whom a specialized instrument will be used to apply controlled pressure over the piriformis muscle as well as surrounding soft tissues.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching OTHER

PNF stretching (contract relax; hold relax) will be implemented to stretch participants' muscles as flexibly and with as much control as possible.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Professional Athletes aged 18 to 35 years.
• Chronic pain in the buttock and hip area.
• Inability to sit for a prolonged time.
• Athletes having positive Faber test
• Both male and female athletes
• Practicing athletes who are in practice from last 2 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Trauma history from last 6 months.
• Other injuries excluding hip pain.
• Systemic illness.
• Pre-existing neurological conditions affecting the lower limbs
• History of lower back surgery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pakistan Sports Board

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

Interventions

Muscle Stretching Exercises

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Muhammad Hassan, MSPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, Phd PT

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Assesor Blinded
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2025
• First Posted: July 29, 2025
• Study Start: July 30, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 30, 2025
• Study Completion: August 30, 2025
• Last Updated: July 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)