Effects of MET and MFR on Piriformis Syndrome

NCT07769203 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: HKU-PIR-MET-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 72
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the effects of two different manual therapy approaches, Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofascial Release Technique (MFR), on pain threshold, muscle activation patterns, and muscle strength in individuals diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. In this study, the physiological effects of both interventions on the musculoskeletal system will be assessed using objective measurement tools such as an algometer, digital dynamometer, and electromyography (EMG). The study aims to provide evidence-based data regarding the most effective and preferable manual therapy approach in the conservative treatment of piriformis syndrome.

Conditions

Piriformis Syndrome

Keywords

Piriformis Syndrome; Muscle Energy Technique; Myofascial Release; Surface EMG; Pain Threshold; Muscle Strength; Rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pressure Pain Threshold

  Assessment of pressure pain threshold using an algometer.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Pain Severity (SF-MPQ)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

• Muscle Strength

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

• Muscle Activation Pattern

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

• Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

• Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment

Study Arms (3)

Muscle Energy Technique Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in addition to conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.

Procedure: Muscle Energy Technique

Myofascial Release Technique Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive Myofascial Release Technique (MFR) in addition to conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.

Procedure: Myofascial Release Technique

Conventional Physical Therapy Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.

Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy

Interventions

Muscle Energy Technique PROCEDURE

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) will be applied to participants by a trained physiotherapist in addition to conventional physical therapy. The intervention will be performed for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. The technique will include voluntary muscle contractions followed by relaxation and stretching procedures targeting the piriformis muscle.

Muscle Energy Technique Group

Myofascial Release Technique PROCEDURE

Myofascial Release Technique (MFR) will be applied to participants by a trained physiotherapist in addition to conventional physical therapy. The intervention will be performed for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. The technique will involve sustained manual pressure and soft tissue release techniques targeting the piriformis muscle and surrounding fascia.

Myofascial Release Technique Group

Conventional Physical Therapy PROCEDURE

Participants in the control group will receive conventional physical therapy for 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions.

Conventional Physical Therapy Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals diagnosed with piriformis syndrome
• Presence of piriformis tenderness and sciatic symptoms
• Aged between 18 and 65 years
• Voluntary agreement to participate in the study
• No history of lumbar, hip, knee, or ankle surgery within the last year
• Ability to cooperate with the assessment and treatment procedures

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals younger than 18 years or older than 65 years
• Presence of any musculoskeletal disorder affecting the lower extremity
• Presence of neurological, cardiac, pulmonary, or orthopedic disorders preventing participation in exercise
• Presence of neurological deficits (muscle strength loss)
• History of radiotherapy to the lumbar or hip region
• Absence from more than 20% of treatment sessions
• Inability to comply with the study procedures (e.g., cognitive impairment, communication problems, severe psychiatric disorders)
• Corticosteroid or PRP injection within the last 3 months
• Participation in another physical therapy program within the last 3 months
• Use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant medications within the last 48-72 hours
• Use of psychotropic medications that may affect muscle activation or nervous system responses (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Igdir University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Health Sciences

Gaziantep, Şehitkamil, 27000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Piriformis Muscle Syndrome

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

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)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Yavuz Yakut, Prof. Dr.

  Hasan Kalyoncu University Faculty of Health Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Nuran Akdağ Mirzaoğlu, Msc/PT/Lecture

CONTACT

+905058179557; ptnurank@gmail.com

Yavuz Yakut, Prof. Dr.

CONTACT

+905324181001; yavuz.yakut@hku.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants were blinded to group allocation during the study period.Participants were blinded to group allocation throughout the study. Participants did not know which intervention group they were assigned to and had no interaction with participants from other groups.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer, PhD Candidate

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: the Muscle Energy Technique (MET) group, the Myofascial Release Technique (MFR) group, and the control group. All participants will receive treatment for 8 weeks, with 2 sessions per week, totaling 16 sessions. Outcome measures will be assessed before and after the intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 12, 2026
• First Posted: August 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)