Effects of Myofascial Release With and Without EMMETT Technique in Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Summary

The iliotibial (IT) tract or band is a lateral thickening of the fascia lata that is composed of the distal fusion of the muscular fascia of the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata muscles. The iliotibial tract travels along the lateral side of the thigh and across the knee joint, inserting on the lateral epicondyle of the tibia. A tight IT band has been diagnosed in several problems related to the knee including patellofemoral syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome. Several authors have suggested that tightness in the IT band may contribute to patellofemoral syndrome and knee pain by pulling the patella laterally thereby causing abnormal tracking of the patella in the trochlear groove. Stretching of the iliotibial band is frequently recommended in treatment programs for patients with LBP. Because the iliotibial band attaches to the ilium, tightness of this muscle is thought to cause anterior innominate rotation and lateral pelvic tilt. The Ober test is performed to assess tightness in the iliotibial band.

The term myofascial release encompasses various techniques used to release fascial restrictions. Many forms of bodywork that includes a soft tissue technique exist with Bowen therapy, Emmett technique, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular techniques (NMT), Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and foam rolling.

This study focusses on effects of myofascial release with Emmett technique. This study will be conducted in a clinical set up (Saba's physical therapy, rehabilitation and sports injury clinic in Gulberg 3) and will take 6 months. Study will be conducted on 22 subjects involving 11 subjects in each group. Group A will be given myofascial release only and group B will be given myofascial release with Emmett technique. Total duration of study will be three weeks and assessment will be done before treatment and after every week. Numeric pain rating scale, goniometer and vertical jump test are used for assessing pain, flexibility and power respectively.

Conditions

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Manual myofascial release

will receive Manual myofascial release to iliotibial band by having the subject to lie in the side lying position on the unaffected side. The upper leg to be tested was rested on the table with hip and knee flexion. Then the therapist applied a few kilograms of force weight along the iliotibial band course proximally to distally. The therapist will repeat this for 6 minutes.

OTHER

Emmett intervention

will receive manual myofascial release and the Emmett intervention with the subject sitting upright on a 45cm wooden chair; light, constant pressure via the middle finger (at a perpendicular angle to the skin) will be applied at both points, three times for 10-20s with 5-10s breaks between. A light sweeping action over the sensory area that will treated will be performed once, using the back of the fingers. The rationale for this is that the light brushing action "disperses the sensory awareness to move without being too heavy or specific enough to create muscular response." The sequence performed on one side will then repeated on the opposite leg. In Ross Emmett's teachings of the technique he insists on treatment of both sides when focusing on the lower body (for balance). Once both sides will be completed, the subject will be instructed to walk around the room for a minute.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rabiya Noor, PhD · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-09-15

Primary Completion

2020-03-20

Completion

2020-06-28

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations