Comparing the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Manipulation and Muscle Energy Technique in Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatment

Abstract

The effects of chiropractic manipulation, muscle energy technique and home exercise program on pain, depression and functional level were compared in patients diagnosed with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) in this study. Material-Method: Forty-five volunteer patients aged 20-65 years who were diagnosed with SIJD participated in this study. The patients were tested through chiropractic and orthopedic examination methods, and aspects of dysfunction were detected. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: Chiropractic Manipulation Group (CM), Muscle Energy Technique Group (MET), Control Group. All groups were assigned a home exercise program. All treatment groups were evaluated with numerical pain scale (NPS), Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (OLBPDQ), Beck depression inventory (BDI) and algometer before and after treatment. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests in intergroup comparisons, Mann-Whitney U tests in pairwise comparisons, and Friedman, post-hoc Wilcoxon Rank tests were used for intragroup comparisons. The statistical significance value was set at p<0.05 in the study. Results: Of the 45 volunteers who continued the study, 27 were female and 18 were male, and their mean age was 39.47±9.92 years. According to the results of intragroup analyses, a significant difference was found in all examination methods, and as a result of the intergroup analyses, there was a significant difference in all examination parameters except BDI. In the paired comparisons, positive results were obtained in all examinations in the CM and MET groups compared to the control group, in all parameters except for BDI in the analyses between CM and MET, and in examinations performed after the 4-week implementation in favor of CM (p<0.05). Conclusion:In patients with SIJD, CM performed in addition to exercises was found to be more effective than MET and exercise alone.