Muscle Energy Techniques for Pelvic Pain

(PMEOMT Trial)

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Touro College and University System

Disqualifiers: Acute pelvic pain, Pregnancy, Pelvic trauma, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 30 minutes per session

100 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of pelvic muscle energy technique online against the traditional full length osteopathic pelvic treatment protocol. The main question it aims to answer are • Can one single pelvic muscle energy technique can correct all pelvic somatic dysfunctions (SD)? Participants will * be positioned by the physician into the area of treatment into a position of resistance, which is the restrictive barrier. * be instructed to use the targeted muscles for 3-5 seconds in the direction of ease while the physician provides a counterforce. * be instructed to stop contracting their muscles and evaluate the area for decreased tension, then repositions the patient into their new restrictive barrier. * These steps are repeated three to five times and then the dysfunction is reevaluated. Subjects diagnosed with pelvic SD will be divided into two groups. One group will be treated with traditional one and be compared with the pelvic muscle energy group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to consult with the trial coordinators for guidance.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Muscle Energy Technique for pelvic pain?

Research suggests that Muscle Energy Technique (MET) can help reduce pain in conditions similar to pelvic pain, such as lumbopelvic pain, by decreasing pain levels over a short period. A study showed that MET reduced worst pain levels in individuals with lumbopelvic pain within 24 hours, indicating its potential usefulness for managing pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Muscle Energy Technique (MET) safe for humans?

The available studies on Muscle Energy Technique (MET) do not report any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for humans. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

How does the Muscle Energy Technique treatment differ from other treatments for pelvic pain?

Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is unique because it involves the patient actively contracting specific muscles against a therapist's resistance, which is different from passive treatments like injections or medications. This technique is used to reduce pain and improve movement, and it has shown short-term effectiveness in reducing pain in conditions like lumbopelvic pain. ^{1 2 3 7 8}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for first and second-year osteopathic medical students who have pelvic somatic dysfunction but not acute severe pain, pregnancy, a history of pelvic trauma or surgery, or current treatment for pelvic dysfunction outside the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Current osteopathic medical students in their first and second year

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy

I am currently getting treatment for pelvic issues not related to this study.

I am experiencing severe pain in my lower abdomen.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive muscle energy techniques targeting pelvic somatic dysfunctions, involving positioning, muscle contraction, and counterforce application.

30 minutes per session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Muscle Energy Technique

Trial Overview The study compares two approaches to treating pelvic pain: one group receives a single muscle energy technique while another undergoes traditional full-length osteopathic treatment. The effectiveness in correcting all pelvic somatic dysfunctions will be evaluated.

Participant Groups

Group I: Pelvic Muscle Energy - One sided Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receives pubic abduction/adduction somatic dysfunction combinations one sided

Group II: Pelvic Muscle Energy - two sided Active Control 1 Intervention

Receives pubic abduction/adduction somatic dysfunction combinations two sided

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Touro College and University System

Lead Sponsor

Trials

9

Recruited

870+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term effect of muscle energy technique on pain in individuals with non-specific lumbopelvic pain: a pilot study. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of muscle energy techniques in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects: a systematic review. [2020]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of muscles energy technique in the management of chronic mechanical low back pain: A scoping review. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiotherapy interventions for patients with chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the literature. [2020]

5. Pakistan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of effectiveness of muscle energy technique with Mulligan mobilization in patients with non-specific neck pain. [2021]

6. Pakistan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of muscle energy technique as compared to Maitland mobilisation for the treatment of chronic sacroiliac joint dysfunction. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Myofascial trigger points of the pelvic floor: associations with urological pain syndromes and treatment strategies including injection therapy. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does muscle energy technique have an immediate benefit for women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain? [2019]