The effects of altering the force of contraction during application of muscle energy technique on flexibility of the hamstrings. A randomised control crossover study.
Item
- Title
- The effects of altering the force of contraction during application of muscle energy technique on flexibility of the hamstrings. A randomised control crossover study.
- Author(s)
- Ramsay, H
- Abstract
- Background: MET is a widely used treatment modality used primarily by osteopaths but also physiotherapists and chiropractors. There is research showing the efficacy of the treatment but there is very little research surrounding its application, especially when looking at the force of contraction asked of the patient.Objective: To test MET using a 20% contraction and a 50% contraction to see whether there is a difference. The Force of contraction was measured and controlled using a dynamometer. Design: Participants were randomised into groups A and B and a cross over study was undertaken with a washout period of one week. Methods: Inclusion criteria: healthy individuals from the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) Exclusion criteria: existing injuries. The maximum contraction was measured using a dynamometer, this reading was then multiplied by 0.2 and 0.5 to find out 20% and 50% of maximum contraction. This value was then used during the MET assisted by the dynamometer. A goniometer App was used to measure participants passive ROM of hip flexion with the knee straight this was measured pre and post intervention. MET was then given at either 20% or 50% depending on group allocation and phase of the crossover. The same process was followed in phase 2 of the crossover. Results: Twenty nine participants were recruited; 13 assigned to group A and 16 in group B. however 3 participants from group B did not return for the second phase of the crossover and were therefore removed. Combined analysis showed that 50% MET produced a significant improvement in flexibility with a P-value (p= 0.0488). Discussion: The strength of the research presented is the application and management of the force of contraction during the MET. However there are many limitations that would need to be addressed in any future research. For example this study used a very small sample; potentially different research designs could be used; more outcome measures such as algometry could be adopted. This would allow further analysis of the optimal application of MET as a treatment modality. Furthermore, after comparisons with other studies a further hypothesis that could be drawn is that 50% contraction is ideal when compared with 20% and 70% but further research would need to be done to validate this hypothesis. Conclusion: This study shows that during the application of MET, asking the patient to apply the stronger contraction (50% of their maximum) leads to a statistically significant improvement in hamstring flexibility. Twenty percent contraction shows an improvement in flexibility however not one of statistical significance.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2016
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 17:29:04
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15957
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- MET, Contraction.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Ramsay, H, “The effects of altering the force of contraction during application of muscle energy technique on flexibility of the hamstrings. A randomised control crossover study.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/524