Manipulative therapy of sacral torsion versus myofascial release in patients clinically diagnosed posterior pelvic pain: a consort compliant randomized controlled trial

Chronic low back pain represents a health care problem with substantial costs. It is generally accepted that approximately 10% to 25% of patients with persistent chronic low back pain may have pain arising from the sacroiliac joints. This study aimed to analyze the effects of manipulative therapy of sacral torsion versus myofascial release on disability, pain intensity, and mobility in patients with chronic low back pain and sacroiliac joints. A prospective, single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Sixty-four patients (mean±SD age: 51±9; 60% female) with chronic low back pain and sacroiliac joints comprised the patient sample. No participant withdrew because of adverse effects. Self-reported disability (primary), pain intensity, scale of kinesiophobia, quality of life, isometric endurance of trunk flexor muscles, and lumbar mobility in flexion were assessed at baseline, pos-treatment, and one month follow-up. Participants were randomly assigned to a sacral torsion manipulation group or myofascial release group, receiving a total of 12 sessions (once weekly). ANCOVA did not showed a statistically significant difference between groups for disability (95% CI -2.40−1.90, p=.177). Effect sizes were large in both groups at both follow-up periods. Similar results were achieved for all secondary outcomes (p˂. 05). The linear model longitudinal analyses showed significant improvements in both groups over time for all outcomes with the exception of fear of movement (manipulative: Minimum within-groups change score 1.91, p˂.001; myofascial: 1.66, p˂.001). Manipulative and myofascial release therapy in patients with clinically diagnosed sacroiliac joints syndrome resulted in a similar short-term benefits on patient reported disability. Both groups experienced similar decrease in the intensity of pain over time, although no clinically meaningful effects were demonstrated in either group.