Effect of Neural Mobilization on Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Patients With Peripheral Sensitization

Effect of Neural Mobilization Techniques on Pain, and Hip and Knee Range of Motion on Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Patients With Peripheral Sensitization

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of slider and tensioner techniques on pain, hip and knee ROM in lumbosacral radiculopathy patients with peripheral sensitization. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the correlation between these outcomes measurements.

Study design: Double-blind case-control trial. Methods: Fifty-one male lumbosacral radiculopathy patients with peripheral sensitization, were divided into one of the three groups: slider, tensioner, and control. The primary outcome measurements were visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, hip range of motion (ROM) during SLR test, and knee flexion ROM during slump test. The measurements were taken at baseline, after 1st, 3rd, and 6th session.

Statistical Analysis: A two-way mixed design analysis of variance (MANOVA) with post-hoc (Bonferonni Correction) was used to calculate the differences with Time (baseline, 1st,3rd,6th sessions) as a within-group factor and Group (control, slider, and tensioner) as a between-group factor. The effect size was calculated with Cohen's d. Pearson's correlation was used for correlation analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy with dominant peripheral sensitization
• patients with unilateral leg pain.
• patient S-LANSS score > 12,
• negative sensory and motor examination.
• positive neural tissue provocation tests (straight leg raising test, slump test).
• adult.
• pain duration of more than 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• S-LANSS score ≥ 12,
• motor or sensory deficits,
• history of back or lower extremity surgeries,
• bilateral referred pain,
• patients with pacemakers, cardiovascular problems, epilepsy, active malignancy, dermatological conditions, and diminished pain sensation.