Piriformis SyndromeNCT07547059
Comparative Effects of Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique in Female Patients With Piriformis Syndrome.
A study testing Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique in people with Piriformis Syndrome, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This clinical study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Post-Facilitation Stretch (PFS) and Active Release Technique (ART) on pain, disability, quality of life, and range of motion of hip internal and external rotation in female patients with piriformis syndrome. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Piriformis Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to 15 Dec 2025
- 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 25 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 25 to 45-year-old women.
- Clinically diagnosed with piriformis syndrome by Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Unilateral pain.
- Sitting exacerbates buttock pain.
- External soreness in the vicinity of the greater sciatic notch.
- Positive findings on standard piriformis syndrome clinical tests (FAIR, Beatty, Freiberg, and Pace).
- Limited SLR ability
Who cannot join
- History of trauma and malignancies.
- Hip dislocation, osteoporosis, and femur fractures.
- Any postural abnormality, including disc pathology.
- Patients with neurological symptom, metabolic disease (RA) and diagnosed psychological problem.
- Pregnancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique on Pain, Disability, Quality of Life and Range of Motion in Female Patients With Piriformis Syndrome.
This clinical study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Post-Facilitation Stretch (PFS) and Active Release Technique (ART) on pain, disability, quality of life, and range of motion of hip internal and external rotation in female patients with piriformis syndrome. After recruitment, participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the chit-box method, either in group A Post-Facilitation Stretch, and group B Active Release Technique. Clinical outcomes including pain, disability, quality of life, and hip range of motion (abduction and internal rotation) were assessed at baseline, during the third week of treatment, and at the sixth-week follow-up from the National Institute of Rehabilitation and Medicine (NIRM) Hospital.
Read the detailed description
Background: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a neuromuscular condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the buttock, hip, and posterior thigh, sometimes radiating to the low back or sacroiliac joint. Women are more commonly affected, comprising 35-79% of cases (Hopayian et al., 2010). Conservative physiotherapy interventions are effective in improving pain, function, and quality of life.
Literature / Rationale: Post-Facilitation Stretch (PFS) involves isometric contraction followed by stretching of the piriformis to enhance hip range of motion (ROM) and reduce pain. Active Release Technique (ART) targets soft tissue adhesions to improve mobility and function. Prior studies indicate benefits of these techniques individually, but direct comparisons in female patients are limited.
Methods: Forty female patients with PS at NIRM Islamabad were randomly allocated via chit-box into PFS and ART groups. Interventions were administered twice weekly for 3 weeks.
PFS: Supine, hip >60° flexion, slight adduction/external rotation; 10-sec isometric external rotation contraction + 30-sec relaxation; stretch into internal rotation/adduction 15 sec; repeat 5× per session(Shahzad et al., 2020).
ART: Targeted soft tissue release of the piriformis muscle.
Outcomes included pain (measured by NPRS), hip IR and abduction ROM (measured by goniometer), functional disability (measured by LEFS-U), and quality of life (measured by SF-36), assessed at baseline, week 3, and week 6.
- Conditions
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Being tested
- Post Facilitation Stretch, Active Release Technique
- Keywords
- Piriformis Syndrome, Post-Facilitation Stretch, Active Release Technique, Pain, Disability, Quality of Life, Range of Motion, Female
- Medical subject headings
- Piriformis Muscle Syndrome, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Post Facilitation StretchOther
Following a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed beyond 60° and gentle resistance was applied to facilitate an isometric external rotation contraction. This was followed by a passive stretch held for 15 seconds, performed for 5 repetitions per session.
Active Release TechniqueOther
Following a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned prone, and deep manual pressure was applied over the piriformis muscle for approximately 90 seconds while the patient actively moved the hip from internal to external rotation. This procedure was repeated for 10 repetitions per session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Post Facilitation Stretch | Experimental | Following a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed beyond 60° and gentle resistance was applied to facilitate an isometric external rotation contraction. This was followed by a passive stretch held for 15 seconds, performed for 5 repetitions per session. Receives: Other: Post Facilitation Stretch |
| Active Release Technique | Experimental | Following a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned prone, and deep manual pressure was applied over the piriformis muscle for approximately 90 seconds while the patient actively moved the hip from internal to external rotation. This procedure was repeated for 10 repetitions per session. Receives: Other: Active Release Technique |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain was measured by Numerical Pain Rating Scale. On this scale, ten values range from 0 to 10, with 0 representing "no pain" and 10 representing "worst possible pain."
Measured: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Disability
Disability was measured by the Urdu version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. It is a 20-item self-report questionnaire assessing functional difficulty in daily, work, and recreational activities for adults with lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. Ranging from 0 (extreme difficulty) to 80 (high function).
Measured: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Quality of life of Patients
Quality of life was measured by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. The overall score goes from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life, while lower numbers indicate a lower quality of life.
Measured: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Hip abduction and internal rotation range of motion
Hip abduction and internal rotation range of motion was measured by goniometer
Measured: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2025
- Primary completion15 Dec 2025
- Study completion15 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Piriformis SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, Islamabad
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Muhammad Nazim Farooq, PhD-PT, Principal investigator, Ibadat International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07547059
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2025/04/74
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique on Pain, Disability, Quality of Life and Range of Motion in Female Patients With Piriformis Syndrome.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07547059
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IIUI/RERC/ADT/2025/04/74
- Conditions
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Keywords
- Piriformis Syndrome, Post-Facilitation Stretch, Active Release Technique, Pain, Disability, Quality of Life, Range of Motion, Female
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ibadat International University, IslamabadUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Apr 2026 (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 study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Post-Facilitation Stretch (PFS) and Active Release Technique (ART) on pain, disability, quality of life, and range of motion of hip internal and external rotation in female patients with piriformis syndrome. After recruitment, participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the chit-box method, either in group A Post-Facilitation Stretch, and group B Active Release Technique. Clinical outcomes including pain, disability, quality of life, and hip range of motion (abduction and internal rotation) were assessed at baseline, during the third week of treatment, and at the sixth-week follow-up from the National Institute of Rehabilitation and Medicine (NIRM) Hospital.
Detailed description
Background: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a neuromuscular condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the buttock, hip, and posterior thigh, sometimes radiating to the low back or sacroiliac joint. Women are more commonly affected, comprising 35-79% of cases (Hopayian et al., 2010). Conservative physiotherapy interventions are effective in improving pain, function, and quality of life.
Literature / Rationale: Post-Facilitation Stretch (PFS) involves isometric contraction followed by stretching of the piriformis to enhance hip range of motion (ROM) and reduce pain. Active Release Technique (ART) targets soft tissue adhesions to improve mobility and function. Prior studies indicate benefits of these techniques individually, but direct comparisons in female patients are limited.
Methods: Forty female patients with PS at NIRM Islamabad were randomly allocated via chit-box into PFS and ART groups. Interventions were administered twice weekly for 3 weeks.
PFS: Supine, hip >60° flexion, slight adduction/external rotation; 10-sec isometric external rotation contraction + 30-sec relaxation; stretch into internal rotation/adduction 15 sec; repeat 5× per session(Shahzad et al., 2020).
ART: Targeted soft tissue release of the piriformis muscle.
Outcomes included pain (measured by NPRS), hip IR and abduction ROM (measured by goniometer), functional disability (measured by LEFS-U), and quality of life (measured by SF-36), assessed at baseline, week 3, and week 6.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Post Facilitation Stretch | Experimental | Other: Post Facilitation StretchFollowing a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed beyond 60° and gentle resistance was applied to facilitate an isometric external rotation contraction. This was followed by a passive stretch held for 15 seconds, performed for 5 repetitions per session. |
| Active Release Technique | Experimental | Other: Active Release TechniqueFollowing a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned prone, and deep manual pressure was applied over the piriformis muscle for approximately 90 seconds while the patient actively moved the hip from internal to external rotation. This procedure was repeated for 10 repetitions per session. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 25 to 45-year-old women.
- Clinically diagnosed with piriformis syndrome by Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Unilateral pain.
- Sitting exacerbates buttock pain.
- External soreness in the vicinity of the greater sciatic notch.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of trauma and malignancies.
- Hip dislocation, osteoporosis, and femur fractures.
- Any postural abnormality, including disc pathology.
- Patients with neurological symptom, metabolic disease (RA) and diagnosed psychological problem.
- Pregnancy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Post Facilitation StretchFollowing a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned supine with the hip flexed beyond 60° and gentle resistance was applied to facilitate an isometric external rotation contraction. This was followed by a passive stretch held for 15 seconds, performed for 5 repetitions per session. | Other | Post Facilitation Stretch |
| Active Release TechniqueFollowing a 10-minute application of a moist hot pack, participants were positioned prone, and deep manual pressure was applied over the piriformis muscle for approximately 90 seconds while the patient actively moved the hip from internal to external rotation. This procedure was repeated for 10 repetitions per session. | Other | Active Release Technique |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Pain was measured by Numerical Pain Rating Scale. On this scale, ten values range from 0 to 10, with 0 representing "no pain" and 10 representing "worst possible pain."
Disability
Time frame: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Disability was measured by the Urdu version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. It is a 20-item self-report questionnaire assessing functional difficulty in daily, work, and recreational activities for adults with lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. Ranging from 0 (extreme difficulty) to 80 (high function).
Quality of life of Patients
Time frame: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Quality of life was measured by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. The overall score goes from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a higher quality of life, while lower numbers indicate a lower quality of life.
Hip abduction and internal rotation range of motion
Time frame: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week
Hip abduction and internal rotation range of motion was measured by goniometer
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 23 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for Piriformis Syndrome
Not yet recruitingPhase 2
Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Versus Placebo on Pain and Health Related Quality of Life of Patients With Piriformis Muscle Syndrome
Piriformis Muscle Syndrome
Recruiting
Interfascial Hydrodissection Added to Ultrasound-Guided Piriformis Injection for Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome
Recruiting
Comparative Effects of Post-Isometric Relaxation and Reciprocal Inhibition Techniques inPiriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome
Enrolling by invitation
Comparative Effects of the Bowen Technique With and Without Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Enrolling by invitation
Neural Gliders With and Without ESWT for Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
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 Nazim Farooq, PhD-PT principal investigator
Ibadat International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Post Facilitation Stretch and Active Release Technique in people with Piriformis Syndrome, run by Ibadat International University, Islamabad 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 7 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 23 Apr 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 Intensity (time frame: Assessment was done at baseline, 3rd week and 6th week). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 23 Apr 2026.