Effects of Pelvic Floor Exercises and Muscle Energy Techniques on Pain and Disability in Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

NCT07275294 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/027
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether combining pelvic floor exercises with muscle energy techniques provides greater improvement in pain and functional disability in adults with sacroiliac joint dysfunction compared to muscle energy techniques alone. The study examines whether the addition of pelvic floor training enhances pain reduction and functional outcomes beyond the effects of muscle energy techniques applied to the hamstrings, gluteus medius, piriformis, and iliopsoas muscles. Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving both pelvic floor exercises and muscle energy techniques or a control group receiving muscle energy techniques only, and will complete standardized assessments of pain and disability before and after the intervention.

Conditions

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Keywords

Pain; Functional Disability; Pelvic floor exercises; Muscle energy techniques; Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain for SIJD provocation tests

  The NRS is a widely used, unidimensional tool for assessing pain intensity. It asks the individual to rate their pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). It is easy to understand and quick to administer and score. It is used for various types of pain (acute and chronic) and in different settings. The NPRS has demonstrated good to excellent reliability and validity with low back pain. Pain scores categorized as mild pain (1-3), moderate pain (1-3) and severe pain (7-10).

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Functional Disability

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic Floor Exercises

Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises

Interventions

Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises OTHER

There will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at \~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Participants in the experimental group will be instructed to perform the Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel exercises, Pelvic Tilts and Bridge with pelvic floor engagement) according to the defined protocol.

Experimental Group

Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation OTHER

There will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at \~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Unilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction pre diagnosed patients
• Both male and female
• Age 30 to 50 years
• Positive on at-least 3/5 provocation tests (Compression, Distraction, Gaenslen, Thigh Thrust, Sacral Thrust and FABER (Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation) test)
• Pain at Fortin area
• Symptoms \>3 weeks

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant females
• Any other neurological, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal disorder
• Recent history of pelvic surgery or any history of malignancy
• Lumbar pathologies (scoliosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis)
• Sacroiliitis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain

Interventions

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia

Study Officials

• MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD

  Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Aneela Bajwa, DPT

CONTACT

+923304295020; ubs24lmspt021@ubas.edu.pk

MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD

CONTACT

rafiqmuhammadtariq149@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 21, 2025
• First Posted: December 10, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR
• Time Frame: It will be available after the completion of the study.
• Access Criteria: Through the corresponding author.