Sacroiliac Joint DysfunctionNCT07275294
Effects of Pelvic Floor Exercises and Muscle Energy Techniques on Pain and Disability in Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
A study testing Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises in people with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether combining pelvic floor exercises with muscle energy techniques provides greater improvement in pain and functional disability in adults with sacroiliac joint dysfunction compared to muscle energy techniques alone. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 30 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- What is being tested?
- Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2026to 27 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 30 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Unilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction pre diagnosed patients
- Both male and female
- Age 30 to 50 years
- Positive on at-least 3/5 provocation tests (Compression, Distraction, Gaenslen, Thigh Thrust, Sacral Thrust and FABER (Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation) test)
- Pain at Fortin area
- Symptoms >3 weeks
Who cannot join
- Pregnant females
- Any other neurological, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal disorder
- Recent history of pelvic surgery or any history of malignancy
- Lumbar pathologies (scoliosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis)
- Sacroiliitis
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Combined Effects of Pelvic Floor Exercises and Muscle Energy Techniques on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether combining pelvic floor exercises with muscle energy techniques provides greater improvement in pain and functional disability in adults with sacroiliac joint dysfunction compared to muscle energy techniques alone. The study examines whether the addition of pelvic floor training enhances pain reduction and functional outcomes beyond the effects of muscle energy techniques applied to the hamstrings, gluteus medius, piriformis, and iliopsoas muscles. Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving both pelvic floor exercises and muscle energy techniques or a control group receiving muscle energy techniques only, and will complete standardized assessments of pain and disability before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the combined therapeutic effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises and muscle energy techniques on pain intensity and functional disability in individuals with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. It is commonly linked to altered lumbopelvic mechanics and impaired stability, and interventions that target both joint alignment and deep stabilizing musculature may offer improved clinical outcomes. All participants will undergo baseline assessment, including sacroiliac joint pain provocation tests, pain intensity measured with the Numeric pain rating scale, and functional disability assessed using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index. The intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40-45 minutes. Both groups will receive standard physiotherapy consisting of a hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for pain modulation, followed by muscle energy techniques directed at the hamstrings, gluteus medius, piriformis, and iliopsoas to improve muscle balance and sacroiliac joint mobility. The experimental group will additionally participate in a structured pelvic floor exercise program designed to enhance pelvic stability and reinforce load transfer across the sacroiliac joint. Participants will be advised to avoid any external treatments during the study period. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted immediately, after three weeks of treatment and again at six weeks post-treatment to determine both immediate and short-term follow-up effects. This study aims to clarify whether the integration of pelvic floor exercises with traditional muscle energy techniques results in superior clinical outcomes compared to muscle energy techniques alone in the management of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
- Conditions
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Being tested
- Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises
- Keywords
- Pain, Functional Disability, Pelvic floor exercises, Muscle energy techniques, Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Medical subject headings
- Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve StimulationOther
There will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at ~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks.
Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor ExercisesOther
There will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at ~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks.
Participants in the experimental group will be instructed to perform the Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel exercises, Pelvic Tilts and Bridge with pelvic floor engagement) according to the defined protocol.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Active comparator | Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Receives: Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation |
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic Floor Exercises Receives: Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain for SIJD provocation tests
The NRS is a widely used, unidimensional tool for assessing pain intensity. It asks the individual to rate their pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). It is easy to understand and quick to administer and score. It is used for various types of pain (acute and chronic) and in different settings. The NPRS has demonstrated good to excellent reliability and validity with low back pain. Pain scores categorized as mild pain (1-3), moderate pain (1-3) and severe pain (7-10).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Functional Disability
Functional disability is measured using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index. It asks questions about everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and personal care. The Modified Oswestry Disability Index is a patient-completed questionnaire that measures functional disability using 10 questions with 6-point Likert scales. Each question is scored from 0 (no disability) to 5 (maximum disability). The total Modified Oswestry Disability Index score is a percentage reflecting how much low back pain affects daily life. It is calculated by dividing the individual's score by the maximum possible score and converting it into a percentage. The resulting percentage falls into a category that indicates the level of disability. The participants experience mild pain and can perform most activities with a score of 0-20% (Minimal disability).The participants experience severe functional limitation with a score of 81-100% (bed-bound or exaggerating symptoms).
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Dec 2025
- Study start15 Jan 2026
- Primary completion15 Sep 2026
- Study completion27 Oct 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sacroiliac Joint DysfunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr. Muhammad Tariq Rafiq, Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences
- Investigators
- MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD, Principal investigator, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07275294
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/027
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 29 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Combined Effects of Pelvic Floor Exercises and Muscle Energy Techniques on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07275294
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UBAS/ERB/FoRS/25/027
- Conditions
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Keywords
- Pain, Functional Disability, Pelvic floor exercises, Muscle energy techniques, Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lahore University of Biological and Applied SciencesUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Oct 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This clinical trial aims to evaluate whether combining pelvic floor exercises with muscle energy techniques provides greater improvement in pain and functional disability in adults with sacroiliac joint dysfunction compared to muscle energy techniques alone. The study examines whether the addition of pelvic floor training enhances pain reduction and functional outcomes beyond the effects of muscle energy techniques applied to the hamstrings, gluteus medius, piriformis, and iliopsoas muscles. Participants will be assigned to either an experimental group receiving both pelvic floor exercises and muscle energy techniques or a control group receiving muscle energy techniques only, and will complete standardized assessments of pain and disability before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the combined therapeutic effects of pelvic floor muscle exercises and muscle energy techniques on pain intensity and functional disability in individuals with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. It is commonly linked to altered lumbopelvic mechanics and impaired stability, and interventions that target both joint alignment and deep stabilizing musculature may offer improved clinical outcomes. All participants will undergo baseline assessment, including sacroiliac joint pain provocation tests, pain intensity measured with the Numeric pain rating scale, and functional disability assessed using the Modified Oswestry Disability Index. The intervention will occur three times per week for six weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40-45 minutes. Both groups will receive standard physiotherapy consisting of a hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for pain modulation, followed by muscle energy techniques directed at the hamstrings, gluteus medius, piriformis, and iliopsoas to improve muscle balance and sacroiliac joint mobility. The experimental group will additionally participate in a structured pelvic floor exercise program designed to enhance pelvic stability and reinforce load transfer across the sacroiliac joint. Participants will be advised to avoid any external treatments during the study period. Post-intervention assessments will be conducted immediately, after three weeks of treatment and again at six weeks post-treatment to determine both immediate and short-term follow-up effects. This study aims to clarify whether the integration of pelvic floor exercises with traditional muscle energy techniques results in superior clinical outcomes compared to muscle energy techniques alone in the management of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Active comparator | Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve StimulationMuscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation |
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Other: Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor ExercisesMuscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic Floor Exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 30 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Unilateral sacroiliac joint dysfunction pre diagnosed patients
- Both male and female
- Age 30 to 50 years
- Positive on at-least 3/5 provocation tests (Compression, Distraction, Gaenslen, Thigh Thrust, Sacral Thrust and FABER (Flexion, Abduction, External Rotation) test)
- Pain at Fortin area
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Pregnant females
- Any other neurological, orthopedic, or musculoskeletal disorder
- Recent history of pelvic surgery or any history of malignancy
- Lumbar pathologies (scoliosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis)
- Sacroiliitis
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve StimulationThere will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at ~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks. | Other | Control group |
| Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor ExercisesThere will be an application of a hot pack for 10minutes and TENS for 10minutes. After that Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) will be performed as isometric relaxation technique targeting iliopsoas, piriformis, hamstring and gluteus medius muscles. The protocol will involve isometric contraction in which patients will perform a contraction at ~30% effort against the therapist's resistance for 7-10 seconds. A 5-second relaxation phase followed by a stretch to the new range barrier, held for 10-60 seconds. Each stretch will be repeated 3-5 in each session. This will be performed 3 times per session 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Participants in the experimental group will be instructed to perform the Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel exercises, Pelvic Tilts and Bridge with pelvic floor engagement) according to the defined protocol. | Other | Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Pain for SIJD provocation tests
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
The NRS is a widely used, unidimensional tool for assessing pain intensity. It asks the individual to rate their pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). It is easy to understand and quick to administer and score. It is used for various types of pain (acute and chronic) and in different settings. The NPRS has demonstrated good to excellent reliability and validity with low back pain. Pain scores categorized as mild pain (1-3), moderate pain (1-3) and severe pain (7-10).
1 secondary outcome
Functional Disability
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Only IPD used in the results publication will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAFIQ, PhD principal investigator
Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Muscle Energy Techniques with Hot pack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Pelvic floor Exercises in people with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, run by Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain for SIJD provocation tests (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Oct 2026.