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Study Design: Two-group, pretest–posttest randomized clinical trial.Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the muscle energy technique (MET) and Kinesiotaping (KT) in addition to conventional physiotherapy among patients with mechanical sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD).Overview of Literature: Patients with SIJD suffer from lower back and gluteal pain, as well as stiffness, due to restricted pelvic joint movement. To restore function and reduce pain among individuals with mechanical SIJD, the MET and KT may be helpful. However, a limited number of studies have compared MET and KT in mechanical SIJD.Methods: A total of 40 male and female participants aging between 30 and 50 years experiencing unilateral pain around the gluteal area, groin area, and lower limbs for more than 4 weeks but less than 1 year will be selected. Patients will then be randomized into two groups: METCp (n=20) and KTCp groups (n=20). The METCp group will receive MET along with conventional physiotherapy, while the KTCp group will receive conventional physiotherapy with KT. Both groups will receive three alternating days of treatment per week that will continue for 4 weeks. The modified Oswestry Disability Index, a digital pressure algometer, and sacroiliac joint motion testing will be used for evaluation. Between- and within-group pre- and post-intervention results for mechanical SIJD were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test/paired t-test and Mann-Whitney U -test/independent t -test.Results: Modified Oswestry Disability Index, digital pressure algometer, and sacroiliac joint motion will be measured at baseline, 2nd week during intervention, and 4th week at the end of interventionConclusions: The present study will provide data regarding the effects of MET and KT among patients with mechanical SIJD.

Pain in the lower back is a major concern in today’s era due to prolonged sitting in two-wheeler riders, mainly due to hamstring tightness. It also creates physical disability and impairment in activities of daily living. The study aimed to compare the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) and self-myofascial release (SMFR) using the foam roller on hamstring flexibility, dynamic balance, and physical disability amongst two-wheeler riders with chronic low back pain (LBP). Participants were randomized into two intervention groups, MET and SMFR using the envelope method, with each group having 20 participants. Hamstring flexibility and range of motion for knee extension and the lower back were assessed using the active knee extension test (AKE-L and AKE-R) and sit and reach test (SRT), while the dynamic balance was assessed by the star excursion balance test (SEBT) and physical disability by Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire, (RMDQ). Measurements were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention. This study demonstrated that both SMFR using a foam roller and MET are effective in enhancing hamstring muscle flexibility, (SRT—F(1, 38) = 299.5, p < 0.001; AKE-R—F(1, 38) = 99.53, p < 0.001; AKE-L—F(1, 38) = 89.67, p < 0.001). Additionally, these techniques significantly improved dynamic balance in various directions, including anterior (ANT), anteromedial (AMED), medial (MED), posteromedial (PMED), posterior (POST), posterolateral (PLAT), lateral (LAT), and anterolateral (ALAT) directions (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in physical disability (RMDQ—F(1, 38) = 1307, p < 0.001), among two-wheeler riders suffering from chronic LBP. Compared to MET, SMFR using foam rollers was found to be more effective in enhancing hamstring flexibility, improving balance, and decreasing disability level on the RMDQ after 4 weeks.

This study aims to investigate the impact of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) on functional recovery and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) during the early postoperative rehabilitation phase. Eighty patients who underwent TKA from January 2021 to December 2021 at the Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and treated by the same team of doctors were selected. The patients were computer-randomized into two groups: a control group comprising 36 patients receiving conventional rehabilitation therapy, and an experimental group comprising 42 patients receiving Muscle Energy Technique (MET) therapy. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in measurements of active knee joint range of motion, HSS scores, and VAS pain scores at 3 days, 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.001). No statistical difference was noted in the TUG test at 1 month postoperatively (P > 0.001), while a significant difference was observed at 3 months (P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the MET group exhibited a 19.3% increase in knee joint activity at 3 days post-TKA. The pain score in the conventional group was 1.34 times that of the MET group. One month post-intervention, the HSS scores of the MET group were 22.2% higher than those of the control group. At 3 months postoperatively, the MET group's HSS scores remained 14.2% higher, and the conventional group's pain score was 3.67 times that of the MET group. This preliminary study indicates that MET can enhance knee joint functionality. It demonstrated short-term efficacy in improving knee function by activating and strengthening key muscle groups, thereby improving joint mobility, muscle strength, stability, and alleviating pain.

Background Non-specific neck pain is the most prevailing musculoskeletal disorder which has a large socioeconomic burden worldwide. It is associated with poor posture and neck strain which may lead to pain and restricted mobility. Physical therapists treat such patients through several means. Post isometric relaxation and Myofascial release therapy are used in clinical practice with little evidence to be firmed appropriately. So, this study was conducted to explore the effect of Post-isometric relaxation in comparison to Myofascial release therapy for patients having non-specific neck pain. Methodology Sixty patients were randomly allocated to Post isometric group and the Myofascial group. The treatment period was of 2 weeks. All the patients were evaluated using the Visual analogue scale (VAS), Neck disability index (NDI), Universal Goniometer, and WHO BREF Quality of life-100 in the 1st and 6th sessions. Recorded data was entered on SPSS 21. Data were examined using two-way repeated ANOVA to measure the variance of analysis (group x time). Results Analysis of the baseline characteristics revealed that both groups were homogenous in terms of age and gender i.e. a total of 60 participants were included in this research study 30 in each group. Out of 60 patients, there were 20(33.3%) males and 40(66.7%) females with a mean age of 32.4(5.0) years. Participants in the Post Isometric group demonstrated significant improvements ( p  < 0.025) in VAS, NDI, Cervical Extension, left side rotation ranges, and QoL (Social Domain) at the 2-week follow-up compared with those in the Myofascial group. In addition, the Myofascial group indicated significantly better improvement in the mean score of CROM (flexion and right and left side bending). Conclusion The study demonstrated patients with nonspecific neck pain can benefit from the post isometric relaxation with significant improvement in pain, disability, cervical ROM, and Quality of life compared with myofascial release therapy. Trial registration Clinical Trial registered on clinicaltrial.gov (NCT number) NCT04638062 , 20/11/2020 (prospectively registered).

Background Frozen shoulder, also clinically known as adhesive capsulitis, is characteri z ed by pain, stiffness, and gradual loss of passive or active glenohumeral range of motion. It leads to marked reduction in shoulder mobility, impacting daily activities and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Spencer muscle energy technique (SMET) for frozen shoulder patients. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we used PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) for searching from inception to January 20, 2025. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and independent authors selected clinical control trials that compare the effect of the Spencer muscle energy technique and comparative treatment in individuals with frozen shoulder. The outcomes were pain, function, and shoulder range of motion (ROM). Two authors independently did data extraction. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and the overall quality of the evidence was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Results Nine studies were included in this review, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that SMET and other comparative treatments showed no statistical difference in the pain, flexion ROM, and abduction ROM standard mean difference (SMD). -0.19; 95% CI (-0.83, 0.45); I²=84%, (MD), 7.65; 95% CI (-11.7, 26.9); I²=95%, MD, 11.32; 95% CI (-9.10, 31.74); I²=96%, respectively. SMET was a statistically significant effect for shoulder function, SMD − 0.5; 95% CI (-0.78, -0.22); I² = 41%. SMET had an inferior effect on shoulder external rotation and extension ROM MD, 9.74; 95% CI (2.38, 17.10) I 2  = 92, MD, 2.55; 95% CI (1.14, 3.96); I 2  = 0 respectively. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that SMET shows promise in improving shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulder; however, evidence is inconsistent for pain and ROM outcomes compared to other manual therapies. Further studies should explore the effect of SMET across different phases of frozen shoulder to determine the optimal timing for intervention through large, high-quality, and well-designed randomized control trials. PROSPERO registration number : CRD42024605780.

Background: Non-specific neck pain (NNP) affects 30–50% of the general population, and it often leads to severe disability. Several manual therapy techniques are available to reduce pain and disability and to improve cervical range of motion and functional activities. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) showed more evidence for treating such a disorder. The aim of this current scientific literature analysis was to compare the clinical effects of MET with the other manual or rehabilitative treatments for non-specific acute and chronic neck pain. Methods: The literature search was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Medline, PEDro, Cochrane Database, and Google Scholar from 2010 to January 2020. Clinical trials about MET were included. The quality of the trials was assessed according to the PEDro scale. Results: Twenty-one papers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected: 15 studies about non-specific acute neck pain and 6 studies about non-specific chronic neck pain. Conclusions: This analysis suggests that the MET approach has a good clinical effect on reducing neck pain in patients with acute neck pain and improves cervical range of motion in patients with chronic neck pain, and is better if combined with a traditional rehabilitative approach. This review’s findings should be considered with caution for physiotherapy practice because of the studies’ methodologic limitations. On the basis of the current available and limited evidence, clinicians could combine MET with traditional physiotherapy and other manual techniques when treating people with non-specific neck pain.

Background: The study of injuries stemming from sacroiliac dysfunction in athletes has been discussed in many papers. However, the treatment of this issue through thrust and muscle-energy techniques has hardly been researched. The objective of our research is to compare the effectiveness of thrust technique to that of energy muscle techniques in the resolution of sacroiliac joint blockage or dysfunction in middle-distance running athletes. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with three measures in time (pre-intervention, intervention 1, final intervention after one month from the first intervention) was made. The sample consisted of 60 adult athletes from an Athletic club, who were dealing with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The sample was randomly divided into three groups of 20 participants (43 men and 17 women). One intervention group was treated with the thrust technique, another intervention group was treated with the muscle–energy technique, and the control group received treatment by means of a simulated technique. A prior assessment of the range of motion was performed by means of a seated forward flexion test, a standing forward flexion test, and the Gillet test. After observing the dysfunction, the corresponding technique was performed on each intervention group. The control group underwent a simulated technique. A second intervention took place a month later, in order to ascertain possible increased effectiveness. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the muscle energy technique (MET) and muscle energy groups compared with the placebo group in both interventions (p = 0.000), with a significant reduction in positive dysfunction (initially 20 in all groups, eight in MET group, and two in thrust group in the final intervention). Comparing the changes in time, only the thrust group obtained statistically significant differences (p = 0.000, with a reduction of positive dysfunction, starting at 20 positives, five positive in the initial intervention and two positive in the final intervention) and when comparing both techniques, it was observed that between the first intervention and the final intervention, the thrust technique was significantly higher than the MET technique (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The thrust manipulation technique is more effective in the treatment of sacroiliac dysfunction than the energy muscle technique, in both cases obtaining satisfactory results with far middle-distance running athletes. Finally, the thrust technique showed positive results in the first intervention and also in the long term, in contrast to the MET technique that only obtained changes after the first intervention.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of muscle energy technique (MET) in combination with conventional physical therapy compared to conventional physical therapy alone following mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Institute of Regenerative Medicine (IRM), Islamabad, Pakistan, for a time duration of 11 months from September 2022 to July 2023. Using non-probability purposive sampling, patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. Three treatment sessions per week for two weeks, lasting thirty minutes each, were administered with follow-up after one month. Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, ROM, were used to assess the Pain, functional status, and Range of motion. Within Group-Analysis was done using Friedman with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, while Mann-Whitney U-tests determined inter-group differences. Results: With-in Group-Analysis, showed statistically significant (p<0.05) at baseline, after one week, after two weeks, and after one month follow up in both the muscle energy technique (MET) Group-And conventional therapy group for NPRS, KNEE FLEXION ROM, and WOMAC. Between-Group-Analysis, also showed significant (p<0.05) for knee pain and WOMAC scores. Conclusions: Both groups are effective for improving knee pain, and functional limitation in knee osteoarthritis patients. However, MET Group along with conventional therapy showed marked effects on improving knee pain, knee flexion ROM, and functional limitations after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in knee osteoarthritis patients. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.11.9605 How to cite this: Ashraf F, Anwar K, Arshad H. Effects of muscle energy technique along conventional physical therapy after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in knee osteoarthritis patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(11):2558-2564. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.11.9605 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the combination therapy of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Trigger Point Therapy (TPT) on the angular values of the range of movements of the cervical spine and on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the trapezius muscle in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: The study involved 60 right-handed, asymptomatic students with a latent trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. All qualified volunteers practiced amateur symmetrical sports. The study used a tensometric electrogoniometer (cervical spine movement values) and an algometer (pressure pain threshold (PPT) of upper trapezius). Randomly (sampling frame), volunteers were assigned to three different research groups (MET + TPT, MET and TPT). All participants received only one therapeutic intervention. Measurements were taken in three time-intervals (pre, post and follow-up the next day after therapy). (2) Results: One-time combined therapy (MET + TPT) significantly increases the range of motion occurring in all planes of the cervical spine. One-time treatments of single MET and single TPT therapy selectively affect the mobility of the cervical spine. The value of the PPT significantly increased immediately after all therapies, but only on the right trapezius muscle, while on the left side only after the therapy combining MET with TPT. (3) Conclusion: The MET + TPT method proved to be the most effective, as it caused changes in all examined goniometric and subjective parameters.

Background: Contradicting evidence regarding the effects of occlusal splint therapy in the management of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and promising results shown by muscle energy technique. Aim: To determine and compare the effects of occlusal splint therapy, muscle energy technique, and combined treatment with education for self-management and counseling in the management of TMD. Study Design and Settings: Randomized clinical trial. Methodology: A total of 160 participants diagnosed with TMD according to Diagnostic Criteria/TMD axis I were randomly allocated into four treatment groups with equal allocation ratio using random numbers table. The main inclusion criteria were the presence of pain in the preauricular area, TMJ and/or muscles of mastication and maximum mouth opening <40 mm. Group A participants received muscle energy technique, Group B participants received occlusal splint therapy, Group C participants received combined treatment, and Group D participants received education for self-management and counseling (control). Control group treatment was provided to all the trial participants. Statistical Analysis: Intragroup comparison was made using Friedman test and Wilcoxon test while intergroup comparison was done using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Intensity of pain on a visual analog scale and maximum mouth opening were measured at baseline, at 1 week, at 2 weeks, at 1 month, and after 3 months. Conclusion: Muscle energy technique, occlusal splint therapy and combined treatment significantly reduce pain compared to controls and muscle energy and combined treatment are superior to other groups for mouth opening improvements in patients with TMD.