Immediate Effects of Static Stretching Versus Active Release Technique on Pain and Functional Performance Among Postgraduate Female Students With Piriformis Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder in which the piriformis muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve, producing deep gluteal pain with possible distal radiation and functional limitation, and it is frequently underrecognized due to symptom overlap with other lumbopelvic conditions. Objective: To compare the immediate effects of static stretching versus Active Release Technique on pain intensity and functional performance among female postgraduate students with piriformis syndrome. Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-blinded study was conducted from April to July 2023 at Government College University Faisalabad, enrolling 30 female MPhil/PhD students (22–45 years) diagnosed clinically using positive FABER, FAIR, and active piriformis tests. Participants were purposively sampled and randomly allocated to static stretching (n=15) or Active Release Technique (n=15). Both groups received superficial heat and were treated for two weeks (three sessions/week; 10–15 minutes/session). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Visual Analogue Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Paired and independent t-tests were applied using SPSS (version 24). Results: Pain decreased significantly within both groups (ART: 5.40±2.03 to 2.80±1.47, p<0.001; stretching: 5.33±1.99 to 3.27±1.62, p=0.006), with lower post-treatment pain in ART than stretching (2.79±1.53 vs 3.36±1.65, p=0.006). Functional performance improved significantly within both groups (ART: 39.47±6.82 to 61.27±9.25, p<0.001; stretching: 42.60±9.23 to 56.53±12.89, p=0.015), with higher post-treatment LEFS in ART (61.29±9.60 vs 56.21±13.32, p=0.010). Conclusion: Active Release Technique is more effective than static stretching for short-term reduction of pain and improvement of functional performance in female postgraduate students with piriformis syndrome.