deltatrials
Recruiting INTERVENTIONAL NCT05023005

Strain-Counterstrain Treatment of Piriformis Pain

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

Updated 13 times since 2021 Last updated: Apr 21, 2026 Started: Sep 1, 2026 Primary completion: Sep 1, 2027 Completion: Sep 1, 2027
This information is for research purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before making any medical decision.

This observational or N/A phase trial investigates Low Back Pain, Mechanical and Piriformis Syndrome and is currently actively recruiting participants. Loma Linda University leads this study, which shows 13 recorded versions since 2026 — indicating substantial longitudinal coverage. The change history captured here reflects the iterative nature of clinical trial conduct.

Study Description(click to expand)

There are two arms to the study: treatment and sham. The treatment group will receive strain-counterstrain for the piriformis muscle. The sham group will receive strain-counterstrain treatment for the hamstring muscle. There will be two treatments, 1-2 weeks apart ideally. Participants will fill out the Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire before the first treatment and after the second treatment (which is 1-2 weeks after the first treatment). Participants will also identify pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after each treatment. Participants will identify pain at rest prior to treatment using VAS. Participant will then identify pain at the start of treatment while pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle (4.5kg/cm2) and post treatment while pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle (4.5 kg/cm2). An algometer will be used pre and post each treatment (2 treatments that are 1-2 weeks apart) to objectively measure any change in pain pressure threshold.

There are two arms to the study: treatment and sham. The treatment group will receive strain-counterstrain for the piriformis muscle. The sham group will receive strain-counterstrain treatment for the hamstring muscle.

There will be two treatments, 1-2 weeks apart ideally.

Participants will fill out the Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire before the first treatment and after the second treatment (which is 1-2 weeks after the first treatment).

Participants will also identify pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after each treatment. Participants will identify pain at rest prior to treatment using VAS. Participant will then identify pain at the start of treatment while pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle (4.5kg/cm2) and post treatment while pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle (4.5 kg/cm2).

An algometer will be used pre and post each treatment (2 treatments that are 1-2 weeks apart) to objectively measure any change in pain pressure threshold.

Status Flow

~Sep 2021 – ~Oct 2021 · 30 days · monthly snapshot~Oct 2021 – ~Feb 2022 · 4 months · monthly snapshot~Feb 2022 – ~Jun 2022 · 4 months · monthly snapshot~Jun 2022 – ~Mar 2023 · 9 months · monthly snapshot~Mar 2023 – ~Nov 2023 · 8 months · monthly snapshot~Nov 2023 – ~Apr 2024 · 5 months · monthly snapshot~Apr 2024 – ~Jul 2024 · 3 months · monthly snapshot~Jul 2024 – ~Sep 2024 · 2 months · monthly snapshot~Sep 2024 – ~Apr 2025 · 7 months · monthly snapshot~Apr 2025 – ~Jul 2025 · 3 months · monthly snapshot~Jul 2025 – ~Nov 2025 · 4 months · monthly snapshot~Nov 2025 – ~Apr 2026 · 6 months · monthly snapshotApr 28, 2026 – present · 2 months · daily API

Change History

13 versions recorded
  1. Apr 28, 2026 — Present [daily]

    Recruiting

    Phase: NANone

  2. Nov 2025 — Apr 2026 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  3. Jul 2025 — Nov 2025 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  4. Apr 2025 — Jul 2025 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  5. Sep 2024 — Apr 2025 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

Show 8 earlier versions
  1. Jul 2024 — Sep 2024 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  2. Apr 2024 — Jul 2024 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  3. Nov 2023 — Apr 2024 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

  4. Mar 2023 — Nov 2023 [monthly]

    Recruiting NA

    Status: Not Yet RecruitingRecruiting

  5. Jun 2022 — Mar 2023 [monthly]

    Not Yet Recruiting NA

  6. Feb 2022 — Jun 2022 [monthly]

    Not Yet Recruiting NA

  7. Oct 2021 — Feb 2022 [monthly]

    Not Yet Recruiting NA

  8. Sep 2021 — Oct 2021 [monthly]

    Not Yet Recruiting NA

    First recorded

Eligibility Summary

The purpose of this investigator-initiated study is to provide an efficient and non-invasive treatment option for pain caused by the piriformis muscle.

Contact Information

Sponsor contact:
  • Loma Linda University
Data source: ClinicalTrials.gov

For direct contact, visit the study record on ClinicalTrials.gov .

Study Locations