Effect of muscle energy technique on pain pressure threshold in sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Abstract

Patients with conjectured sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) commonly complaints of tenderness and pain around the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). The tenderness can be objectively recorded using pain pressure threshold (PPT) as an outcome measure. However, to date, no studies have been conducted to ascertain the effect of muscle energy technique (MET) on PPT. Consequently, the study aims to determine the effect of MET on PPT in SIJD. Twenty-five SIJD patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Outcome measures like PPT, Visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) was taken prior to the intervention and also after 4-day treatment sessions. There was a significant improvement (p<0.05) seen in all the outcome measures. The study concluded that MET could be beneficial in reducing tenderness around PSIS and also helps in reducing pain and disability in patients with SIJD.