Comparison Of The Effect Of Active Release Technique Versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching (Modified Hold-Relax) On Hamstring Flexibility In Patients Having Chronic Low Back Pain.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Background and Objectives: Low back pain(LBP) is the leading cause of occupational injury and disability.The hamstring tightness was found to be one of the leading causes for development of LBP. Active Release Technique(ART)&PNF(Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretchingboth the methods work on different physiological principles to increase the hamstrings flexibility. Hence objective of the study was to compare the effect of ART and PNF on hamstrings flexibility, Pain and functional disability in patients having LBP. Methodology: 30 subjects were taken in the study and divided in to 2 groups, 15 in each group.Measurement of the severity of pain by using VAS, degree of hamstrings tightness by active knee extension test and functional disability by modifies oswestry disability index was done. Group A was given modified hold relax PNF stretch and Group B was given ART for 10 sessions. Results: There was significant difference forMean of AKE (t=2.31, p=0.028), pain at activity (t=52.00, p=0.012) and functional disability (U=-2.224, p=0.026) between both groups. Conclusion: Both the techniques Modified hold-relax PNF stretch and ART improve hamstrings flexibility and reduce pain and disability over time but PNF (modified hold relax) was more effective than ART.