PRT vs MET in Non-Specific Low Back Pain With Facet Restriction

NCT07165249 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: PalestineAhliyaU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objective:The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Positional Release Technique (PRT) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in reducing pain and improving outcomes for patients suffering from non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients between the ages of 25 and 50, all referred by an orthopedic surgeon for treatment of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (n=18 per group) using a computer-generated randomization sequence. However, details regarding allocation concealment and blinding of participants or assessors were not specified, which may influence the risk of bias. Group A received Positional Release Technique (PRT), while Group B received Muscle Energy Technique (MET). Prior to each treatment session, both groups received a standardized 15-minute hot pack application as a co-intervention to promote muscle relaxation and ensure consistency across interventions. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and functional outcomes were measured with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ). Participants in both groups attended three physiotherapy sessions per week over a four-week treatment period.

Conditions

Non Specific Low Back Pain; Muscle Energy Technique

Keywords

Muscle energy; PRT; Non specific low back pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• VAS - Baseline and after 4 weeks. Functional disability (Roland-Morris Questionnaire, RMQ) - Baseline and after 4 weeks.

  A popular instrument for measuring pain is the visual analogue scale (VAS). Typically, it's a 10-cm line with the words "worst pain imaginable" at one end and "no pain" at the other. In order to quantify their level of pain, patients mark the line, and the distance from "no pain" serves as a proxy for pain

  4 weeks

• RMQ

  It asks about 24 different activities and functions that could be impacted by back pain. Patients indicate if they now find it difficult to be active owing to back discomfort by answering "yes" or "no" to each topic. The total number of "yes" responses is added up to determine the score; a higher score denotes a larger disability

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

arm 1- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Behavioral: Positional release technique (PRT)

arm2- Group B (MET): Muscle Energy Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Behavioral: Muscle energy technique

Interventions

Positional release technique (PRT) BEHAVIORAL

Group A (PRT): Patients lay prone for the application of the hot pack. PRT was then applied to the erector spinae muscles. The therapist identified tender points and passively positioned the patient into a position of comfort, typically involving lateral trunk flexion toward the symptomatic side. Each session involved three 90-second holds per tender point. PRT procedures followed standardized positioning principles as described in previous literature.

arm 1- Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique

Muscle energy technique BEHAVIORAL

Group B (MET): Following the hot pack application, patients were assessed for segmental dysfunction via palpation of lumbar transverse processes in prone position. MET was applied using isometric contractions aimed at correcting lumbar rotational or side-bending dysfunctions. Each contraction was held for 7-10 seconds, followed by a passive stretch. The technique was repeated for 3-5 cycles per session.

arm2- Group B (MET): Muscle Energy Technique

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Participants in the age category of 25 to 50 years old.
• both male and female, with a diagnosis of low back pain (LBP), with or without referred leg pain.
• chronic LBP lasting more than three months.

You may not qualify if:

• Osteoporosis.
• bone disease.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• History of vertebral fracture.
• History of spinal surgery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Palestine Ahliya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Palestine Ahliya University

Bethlehem, 3600700, Palestinian Territories

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor Chairperson, Department of Medical Sciences - Master's

Model Details: Group A (PRT): Positional Release Technique - 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention Group B (MET): Muscle Energy Technique - 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks with hot pack co-intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2025
• First Posted: September 10, 2025
• Study Start: September 2, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2024
• Study Completion: July 20, 2024
• Last Updated: September 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)