The effect of psoas MET on lumbar range of motion
Item
- Title
- The effect of psoas MET on lumbar range of motion
- Author(s)
- Kapadia Rehana
- Abstract
-
Objectives
To investigate the effect of performing muscle energy technique (MET) to the psoas major muscle, on lumbar spine range of motion measured with the Back Range of Motion II device (BROM II).
Background information:
Low back pain is prevalent in western society and as a presenting condition to the osteopath. Lumbar spine hypo- or hyper-mobility can be significant in predisposing to low back pain. Muscle energy technique has previously been validated as an effective osteopathic modality in the treatment of muscle and joint dysfunction. The psoas muscle is prone to shortening under stress and despite its close relationship to the lumbar spine, the effect it may have on LROM is disputed and under-researched.
Methodology
Twenty-two subjects took part in this study: fourteen experimental subjects, comprising seven males and seven females and eight controls: four males and four females, in the age range 18-34.
The BROM II device was used to measure the degrees of movement in all vectors (flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion and left and right rotation) in the lumbar spine, both pre- and post- intervention of the MET. The order of the three interventions, over three weeks was randomly chosen by the subjects: MET to both psoas muscles, MET to psoas of dominant leg, MET to psoas of non-dominant leg. The control subjects lay supine without MET intervention for 4 minutes before being re-measured to assess any measuring effect.
Results
Statistical analysis using matched paired two-tail t-tests found statistically significant increases in lumbar range of motion after MET to both legs and MET to the dominant leg in extension, right and left lateral flexion and right and left rotation (p<0.05). No significant change was found in flexion (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in range of motion in any vector in the control group (p>0.05).
There was a significant increase in ROM after MET to the non-dominant leg in extension (p<0.05) only.
An unpaired t-test showed no significant differences between the measurements of male and female subjects (p>0.05).
Conclusion
This study has shown that all directions of lumbar spine movement, except flexion, are significantly increased (p<0.05) following MET to the psoas muscle of both legs or of the dominant leg. These results suggest that the psoas major muscle is key not only to healthy hip function, but also that treatment of this muscle should be considered as part of the multi-factorial approach often necessary in the treatment of lumbar spine dysfunction. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13639
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Kapadia Rehana, “The effect of psoas MET on lumbar range of motion”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1118