Hamstring tightness is an inability to extend the knee more than 160 degrees while keeping the hip in a 90-degree flexion position.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of hold-relax stretching with or without thermotherapy in decreasing pain and increasing the range of motion in hamstring tightness patients.

Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken on individuals with hamstring tightness in District Head Quarter (DHQ) Gujranwala and Tehsil Head Quarter (THQ) Wazirabad during September to December 2022. Total 42 participants were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and allocated into two groups (Hold-Relax stretching with hot pack Group A= 21, Hold-Relax stretching without hot pack =Group B=21) with simple random sampling technique. Pain and ranges of motion were assessed before and after intervention through Visual analog scale (VAS) and Goniometer. Collected data were entered and analysis with SPSS. Frequency distribution table was established for the presentation of data and independent and dependent t-test was applied for between and within group comparison. All data were examined using a 95% confidence level, and a p-value of <0.05 was regarded as significant.

Results: Total 42 participants selected  and average age of participants were 28.71±3.73 and 30.00±5.46 years whereas BMI was observed 25.33±3.65 and 23.14±3.14 in hold-relax stretching with (Group A=21) and without thermotherapy (Group B=21) respectively. Hold-relax stretching with thermotherapy and without thermotherapy were statistical significant with p-value <0.05 to decreasing pain and improving the range of motion.

Conclusion: Hold-relax stretching with thermotherapy were more effective technique than hold-relax stretching without thermotherapy to decreasing pain and increasing the range of motion in hamstring tightness patients.

Keywords: Hamstring tightness, thermotherapy, hold-relax stretching, randomized control trail