The comparative effect of extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy and active release technique on active gluteus medius trigger points. - Trial PACTR202004570377769

Timeline & Enrollment

Summary

People with chronic non-specific lower back pain have been shown to have more gluteus medius weakness and more myofascial trigger points than healthy people. It is also suggested that gluteus medius weakness and myofascial trigger points are often the cause of lower back pain. Many soft tissue techniques are used in treatment of these myofascial trigger points. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been shown to be an effective technique in treatment of myofascial trigger points by means of desensitisation or hyper stimulation analgesia. Active release technique has been proposed to be one of the most popular techniques utilised in treating myofascial trigger points by manual therapists. The aim of this study is to explore the comparetive effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and active release technique on active gluteus medius trigger point.A total of 30 participants between the ages of 18 - 40 years of age will be recruited for this study. All of which have to present with lower back pain and active gluteus medius trigger points. The participants will be randomly divided into two groups, each group consisting of 15 participants. Group 1 will receive extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy to the identified active gluteus medius trigger points and group 2 will receive active release technique to the identified active gluteus medius trigger point. Participant will receive a total of six treatments and a seventh consultation being a data collection consult with no treatment. Objective and subjective data will be collected on the first, fourth and seventh consultations. All participants will be screened on the first consultation with a history taking, physical exam and lumbar regional to determine the presence of active gluteus medius myofascial trigger points and to determine if they comply with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjective data will be collected by use of a visual analogue pain scale and objective data will be collected using a handheld pressure Algometer.Possible outcomes of this study may determine the superior soft tissue technique in the form of extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy or active release technique in the treatment of active gluteus medius trigger points with the associated referred pain and lower back pain.

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