Effectiveness of Dry Needling Versus Cupping Therapy for Pain in Piriformis Syndrome

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT06437795

Superior University80 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two popular therapeutic interventions, dry needling and cupping therapy, in alleviating pain associated with Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis Syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, leading to buttock pain and radiating numbness.

The study will recruit participants diagnosed with Piriformis Syndrome and will randomly assign them to receive either dry needling or cupping therapy over a specific period. The primary outcome will be the reduction in pain intensity measured by standardized pain assessment tools. Secondary outcomes will include improvements in functional mobility and quality of life. By analyzing the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of both therapies, the study aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians treating Piriformis Syndrome.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Piriformis Syndrome

Interventions

Dry Needling GroupDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants in this group will receive dry needling therapy. This involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the piriformis muscle to relieve pain and muscle tension. The therapy will be administered twice a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Cupping Therapy GroupOTHER

Participants in this group will receive cupping therapy. This involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which is believed to improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension. The therapy will be administered twice a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged between 18 to 65 years. * Diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. * Experiencing chronic pain for at least 3 months. * Willingness to comply with the study protocol and attend all therapy sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * Recent surgery on the lower back or hip. * Presence of systemic diseases affecting muscle function (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis). * Pregnant or breastfeeding women. * Use of anticoagulant medication or having a bleeding disorder. * Participating in another clinical trial simultaneously

Locations (1)

Ghurkee Hospital

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Participants will rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) at the beginning and end of the study.

Time frame: 12 Months

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

This tool assesses the degree of disability in performing daily activities. Quality of life improvements measured by the SF-36 Health Survey, which evaluates physical and mental health status.

Time frame: 12 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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