The effects of stretching in patients with persisting pain - a randomised controlled trial

INTERVENTION: The two legs of each subject are randomised into either the treatment or control condition. Intervention: The hamstring muscles of the treatment leg will be stretched for 1 minute per day for three weeks. CONDITION: Persisting pain (greater than 3 months) PRIMARY OUTCOME: Mean change in pain intensity as reported on the 10‐point numerical rating scale Mean change in passive hip flexion angle at the highest tolerated torque to measure stretch tolerance Mean change in passive hip flexion angle with standardised torque to measure hamstring muscle extensibility SECONDARY OUTCOME: N/A INCLUSION CRITERIA: Pain persisting for greater than three months, no further medical or surgical investigations or treatments planned, not requiring urgent psychiatric treatment, no primary drug or alcohol problem, inextensible hamstring muscles as tested using a standard "toe‐touch" test.