EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF SOFT TISSUE MOBILIZATION IN PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Piriformis syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in the buttock region and along the course of the sciatic nerve. It often mimics other causes of sciatica, making diagnosis and management challenging. Conservative physiotherapy management, particularly soft tissue mobilization, has emerged as a potential intervention to alleviate symptoms and restore function in affected individuals.

Objective: To determine the effect of soft tissue mobilization on pain, range of motion (ROM), and functional disability in individuals with piriformis syndrome.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Al-Nafees Hospital, Islamabad, from 23rd September 2022 to 6th February 2023. A total of 20 participants aged 20–60 years with clinically diagnosed piriformis syndrome were enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling. Participants underwent six physiotherapy sessions over the course of the intervention. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometric assessment of hip external rotation ROM, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of participants was 31.9 ± 10.6 years. Among them, 8 (40%) were male and 12 (60%) were female. The mean BMI was 22.5 ± 2.6 kg/m², with 85% (n=17) having normal weight and 15% (n=3) being overweight. Statistically significant improvements were observed from baseline to the sixth session in NPRS (7.25 ± 1.55 to 1.45 ± 0.66), hip external rotation ROM (34.0 ± 5.1° to 51.3 ± 3.8°), and ODI (33.1 ± 9.1 to 11.0 ± 4.6) with p=0.00 across all measures.

Conclusion: Soft tissue mobilization significantly reduced pain and functional disability while improving hip ROM in patients with piriformis syndrome, supporting its use as an effective physiotherapeutic intervention.