ORIGINAL PAPER
The effect of active release versus ischemic pressure techniques in pain, range of motion, function, and pressure pain threshold on females with piriformis syndrome: a randomised controlled clinical trial
1
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
2
Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
3
Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Submission date: 2023-07-30
Acceptance date: 2023-12-13
Publication date: 2025-03-20
Corresponding author
Mariam O. Grase
Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed El Zayyat St., Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed El Zayyat St., Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Physiother Quart. 2025;33(1):92-100
KEYWORDS
piriformis muscle syndromeischemic pressure techniqueactive release techniquemusculoskeletal manipulationstrigger points
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
To compare the effects of active release technique (ART) versus ischemic pressure technique (IPT) in females with piriformis syndrome and active trigger points.
Methods:
Forty-five females with active trigger points in the middle of the piriformis muscle. Participants were randomly allocated to three equal groups according to the chit method of randomisation. The conventional group received conventional physical therapy treatment composed of 20 min of hot packs, 20 min of TENS, and 3 min of stretching. The IPT group received conventional physical therapy treatment and IPT. The ART group received conventional physical therapy treatment and ART. Each group received two sessions per week for 6 weeks. Primary outcomes included pain intensity levels measured by the visual analogue scale and hip internal rotation range of motion measured by a manual goniometer. Secondary outcomes included lower extremity function disability measured by the lower extremity function scale and the pressure pain threshold measured by a manual algometer.
Results:
Mann–Whitney U analysis revealed a significant difference post-treatment in favour of the IPT group compared to the conventional and IPT groups and a significant difference in favour of the ART group compared to conventional and ART groups (p < 0.05). Both techniques proved to be superior compared to the conventional treatment; however, there was no significant difference between IPT and ART (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The addition of ART or IPT to conventional physical therapy in females with active piriformis trigger points reduces pain intensity, increases internal rotation of the hip, and improves lower extremity functional ability.
To compare the effects of active release technique (ART) versus ischemic pressure technique (IPT) in females with piriformis syndrome and active trigger points.
Methods:
Forty-five females with active trigger points in the middle of the piriformis muscle. Participants were randomly allocated to three equal groups according to the chit method of randomisation. The conventional group received conventional physical therapy treatment composed of 20 min of hot packs, 20 min of TENS, and 3 min of stretching. The IPT group received conventional physical therapy treatment and IPT. The ART group received conventional physical therapy treatment and ART. Each group received two sessions per week for 6 weeks. Primary outcomes included pain intensity levels measured by the visual analogue scale and hip internal rotation range of motion measured by a manual goniometer. Secondary outcomes included lower extremity function disability measured by the lower extremity function scale and the pressure pain threshold measured by a manual algometer.
Results:
Mann–Whitney U analysis revealed a significant difference post-treatment in favour of the IPT group compared to the conventional and IPT groups and a significant difference in favour of the ART group compared to conventional and ART groups (p < 0.05). Both techniques proved to be superior compared to the conventional treatment; however, there was no significant difference between IPT and ART (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The addition of ART or IPT to conventional physical therapy in females with active piriformis trigger points reduces pain intensity, increases internal rotation of the hip, and improves lower extremity functional ability.
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