ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Piriformis syndrome involves sciatic nerve compression by piriformis muscle, causing buttock pain, burning sensation due to muscle spasms or inflammation, characteristic symptoms. AIM: This study aims to compare the effect of direct and indirect treatments on pain and function in piriformis syndrome with sciatica individuals. METHODOLOGY: After obtaining ethical clearance, 42 participants meeting inclusion criteria were divided into three groups of 14 individuals each. Over four weeks, all underwent five days per week sessions. Group A received Direct treatment, Group B received Indirect treatment, and Group C underwent Conventional therapy. Pre- and post-data were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Sciatica Bothersome Index Scale (SBI), and Straight Leg Raise (SLR) to evaluate outcomes. RESULT: The Shapiro-Wilkinson test assessed data normality, and inferential statistics were applied for group differences using the Kruskal-Walli’s test and Bonferroni post hoc test. Intra- group analysis employed the Wilcoxon sign rank test, revealing p-values <0.005 in NPRS, SBI, and SLR for all three groups. Similarly, inter-group comparison indicated p-values <0.005 in NPRS, SBI, and SLR across all three groups. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that Group A receiving direct treatment exhibited notably superior improvement compared to Groups B (indirect treatment) and C (conventional therapy) in managing piriformis syndrome and sciatica. However, all interventions were equally effective in reducing NPRS, enhancing Sciatica Bothersome Index scale (SBI), and improving functionality through the straight leg raise (SLR) test. Keywords: Piriformis syndrome, strengthening, stretching, post isometric relaxation
Publication date: 01/05/2025

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/May/MS_IJBPAS_2025_9029.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.5.9029