EFFECTS OF POST-FACILITATED STRETCHING VERSUS CONTRACT-RELAX STRETCHING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCIATICA ASSOCIATED WITH PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Keywords:
Piriformis syndrome, sciatica, post-facilitated stretching, contract-relax stretching, muscle energy technique, physiotherapy, pain, functional disability.Abstract
Background: Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle within the deep gluteal region. It is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of extra-spinal sciatica and a source of chronic buttock pain. Despite its clinical importance, piriformis syndrome remains underdiagnosed and frequently misinterpreted as lumbar spine pathology due to overlapping symptoms, resulting in delayed or inappropriate management.
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of post-facilitated stretching and contract-relax stretching in the management of sciatica associated with piriformis syndrome.
Methodology: Participants were enrolled into two groups: one receiving post facilitated stretching exercise and the other one receiving contract relax stretching exercise. Outcomes were assessed over a 6-week period, focusing on pain levels and functional ability by goniometer, Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Functional disability by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and measurement tools and musculoskeletal special test to check p and conformation for piriformis tightness are Slump test ,SLR(strait leg raise ) test , FAIR TEST ( flexion ,adduction, internal rotation ) , Piriformis stretch test . Data was analyzed using SPSS-27.
Results: Overall, all of the examined outcomes showed statistically significant pre-to-post improvement. Hip Rom and SLR rose while NPRS and ODI fell. There was a significant baseline difference for Hip Rom (p =.006) but not for NPRS (p =.372), ODI (p =.819), or SLR (p =.374), according to the between-group analysis. Following the intervention, NPRS, ODI, Hip ROM and SLR showed significant between-group differences (all p-values <.001). Conclusion: Stretching (PFS) out performed Conventional Rehabilitation Stretching (CRS) in terms of post-intervention results, indicating that PFS was more useful for managing sciatica associated with piriformis syndrome in the short term.
