Comparing Primal Reflex Release Technique and Stretching Exercises on Pain and Function in Coccydynia

Objectives: This study aims to find and compare the effects of primal reflex release technique and stretching exercises on pain intensity, functional performance, and pain-free sitting duration in patients with coccydynia. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial. A total of 46 individuals were chosen for the sample based on the inclusion criteria, and they were divided into groups A and B. Pre-treatment values of patients for pain assessment were taken by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ), and pain-free sitting duration (PFSD). Group A received treatment with a hot pack and primal reflex release technique. Group B received treatment with a hot pack and stretching exercises. Each patient received a total of 12 sessions over the course of 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week. After 4 weeks of therapy, both groups were evaluated again. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: Findings revealed that within-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) for all variables. In the primal reflex release technique group, the average NPRS value reduced from 5.565±1.4086 to 1.7391±1.09617, the average DPQ value from 129.967±33.102 to 38.000±26.691 and the average PFSD duration increased from 43.043±20.323 to 368.478±160.464. In the stretching group, NPRS reduced from 6.087±1.345 to 3.695±1.490, DPQ from 116.032±35.054 to 60.608±22.186 and PFSD increased from 28.260±11.928 to 94.130±102.154. The between-group analysis also indicated statistically significant differences in NPRS, DPQ, and pain-free sitting duration with P values ≤0.001, 0.003, and ≤0.001, respectively Discussion: The study concluded that both the primal reflex release technique and stretching exercises were effective in reducing pain and improving functional status with a marked increase in pain-free sitting duration. However, the primal reflex release technique was found to be more useful than stretching exercises in terms of mentioned outcome measures on basis of their mean differences.

کلیدواژه های Comparing Primal Reflex Release Technique and Stretching Exercises on Pain and Function in Coccydynia:

Coccyx ، Muscle stretching exercises ، Pain ، Reflex