Comparing the Effectiveness of the Muscle Energy Technique and Kinesiotaping in Mechanical Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Non-blinded, Two-Group, Pretest–Posttest Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol

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 intervention CONCLUSIONS: The present study will provide data regarding the effects of MET and KT among patients with mechanical SIJD.