Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Excessive lordosis is one of the most common postural abnormalities of the lumbar region, it involves muscle imbalance in which iliopsoas and erector spinae group of the trunk tighten and shorten, while abdominal and gluteal muscles weaken. The result of this imbalance is lumbar hyperlordosis. This common pattern is corrected by stretching shortened muscles followed by correction of posture. Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of muscle energy technique (MET) on degree lumbar hyperlordosis in asymptomatic adults. Subjects: Forty-six subjects aged from 18-30 years from both sexes randomly divided into two groups. Material: control group (A) received postural correction only, while study group (B) received postural correction exercises and post isometric relaxation for hip flexors and back extensors,. The treatment was applied for twelve weeks; three sessions per week with the total of 36 sessions. Outcome; Absolute rotatory angle (ARA), pelvic inclination angle and lumbar flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) were measured pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results: overall effect; Statistical analysis using 2x2 mixed design MANOVA indicated that there were significant effects of the treatment (postural correction exercises and post isometric relaxation for hip flexors and back extensor; the first independent variable) on the all tested dependent variables; absolute rotatory angle, pelvic tilting angle, ROM of lumbar flexion, and extension (F=8.152, P=0.0001) and this significant difference in favor of group (B) than group (A). Conclusion: MET is considered as an effective manual therapy technique in improving excessive lumbar lordosis

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