Effectiveness of the muscle energy technique on postpartum meralgia paresthetica: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The effectiveness of the muscle energy technique (MET) on postpartum meralgia paresthetica (MP) affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effectiveness of the MET on postpartum MP affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

METHODS:

In this randomized controlled trial, 30 patients with postpartum MP were randomly allocated to study and control groups. The study group received the MET with conventional therapeutic exercises and the control group received the conventional exercises alone for four weeks (thrice a week, for 30–40 minutes duration). Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve distal latency, pain intensity, response to the prone knee bend (PKB) test and pelvic compression test were assessed.

RESULTS:

Patients allocated to the MET group had improvements compared to the controls in pain intensity (MD: $-$ 1.66, 95%CI $-$ 2.39 to $-$ 0.94), distal latency (MD: $-$ 0.66, 95%CI $-$ 0.94 to $-$ 0.36), and knee range of motion in the PKB test (MD: 19.5 ${}^{\circ }$ , 95%CI 13 to 26.1) with high treatment effects, Cohen’s d –ES $\mathrm{=}$ 1.71, 1.86 and 2.24 respectively. However, there was no between-group difference for the pelvic compression test ( $p=$ 0.41).

CONCLUSION:

The MET can reduce pain, distal latency, and increase the prone knee range of motion in women with MP affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.