Effect of Bowen Technique versus Muscle Energy Technique on Asymptomatic Subjects with Hamstring Tightness: A Randomized Clinical Trial

To study and compare the effectiveness of Bowen technique and muscle energy technique in asymptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness.

Forty-eight normal healthy subjects (24 in each group) were recruited in the study under simple randomization method. Group A received three alternate sessions of Bowen technique and Group B received three alternate sessions of muscle energy technique for hamstring tightness. Popliteal angle and Sit and reach tests for flexibility and hand-held dynamometer for strength of the hamstrings were measured pre-intervention and post intervention. Data was evaluated using t-test.

The group treated with Bowen technique showed significant improvement in Popliteal angle (p<0.001) as compared to muscle energy technique. The sit and reach flexibility test (p<0.001) was equally significant for both the groups. There was significant improvement in hand-held dynamometer (p<0.001) in group treated with Muscle energy technique as compared to Bowen technique.

Three alternate sessions of Bowen technique and muscle energy technique proved to be effective in improving hamstring flexibility, range of motion and strength of the hamstring muscle. The group treated with Bowen technique proved to be more effective in improving flexibility of hamstring and range of motion when measured with popliteal angle. Muscle energy technique group showed more improvement in increasing the strength of the hamstring muscle at the end of the third treatment session.