Determining optimal contraction duration during muscle energy techniques

Item

Title
Determining optimal contraction duration during muscle energy techniques
Author(s)
Noquet, David
Abstract
BackgroundMuscle Energy Techniques (MET) have been widely used by primary health care practitioners to treat restricted range of motion (ROM) in hip flexion. Although little evidence exists to support the effectiveness of an MET to increase hip ROM into flexion, the optimum contraction phase of an MET (5/10 seconds) and whether there is a contralateral response to a unilateral MET during the intervention.
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine whether a 10 second contraction phase was more effective than a 5 second and whether there is a contralateral response to a unilateral MET.
Methods10 asymptomatic subjects (age range 21-33) whom took part in a cross over study where a control group (n = 10), intervention 1 group (n = 10) and 2 group (n = 10) were completed. Passive hip flexion ROM was measured pre and postintervention.
ResultsAnalysis with a two way repeated measures ANOVA for Non-dominant and dominant leg revealed significant differences (p = 0.001) in MET-5 seconds and the control, but not the 10 second MET group (p = <0.001. Although the largest response was recorded on the dominant leg when a 10 second MET produced a 9.02 increase in degrees of hip ROM. There was also a significant difference (p = 0.01) when comparing a 10 second MET of the non-dominant leg to the control group, but the 5 second MET failed to provide a significant response with low significance (p = 0.026, respectively). ConclusionThis study failed to find a significant difference in a longer contraction phase (10 second) isometric contraction when treating the hip with MET. Both seem to be equally effective with high significance, however the 10 second MET provided a contralateral response (effect to untreated side, non-dominant leg). Therefore in requiring further study and greater subject numbers as it may be a suitable replacement for the 5 second MET, due to it being just as effective and providing a response to the opposite side, but further investigation is warranted.
presented at
British College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date Accepted
2013
Date Submitted
14.11.2018 12:45:49
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Number of pages
18
Submitted by:
4457
Pub-Identifier
16332
Inst-Identifier
1076
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Noquet, David, “Determining optimal contraction duration during muscle energy techniques”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.org/s/orw/item/2017