A Pilot Study of a Neural Mobilization Intervention Applied to Older Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

A Feasibility and Acceptability Study of a Physical Exercise Program Including Neural Mobilization to Improve Pain, Functional Status, and Physical Performance in Older Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

The goal of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of integrating neural mobilization techniques into a multimodal physical exercise program for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What is the average time to assess secondary outcomes for each participant?
• What proportion of participants adhered and/or withdrew from the study at the end of the intervention protocol?
• Are there adverse events/effects associated with the intervention protocol?
• What is the level of approval/satisfaction of the participants in relation to the assessment and intervention protocols?
• What is the impact of the intervention protocol on participants´ pain, function, physical performance, somatosensory function, and nerve excursion (secondary outcomes)?

Participants will be assessed at 3 different moments: initial assessment (T0), at the end of the intervention protocol (8 weeks) (T1) and 3 months after the end of the intervention protocol (T2). The intervention protocol will consist of a multimodal exercise program (with or without integration of neural mobilization techniques) to be carried out over a period of 8 weeks at a frequency of twice a week.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older, with primary or secondary chronic musculoskeletal pain in any body site and able to walk independently

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with post-surgical pain as a result of surgery performed in the last 6 months;
• Patients with a self-reported diagnoses of infection diseases, dementia, tumor/cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, or at high risk of developing cardiovascular events;
• Those with physical limitations that make it impossible for them to carry out the intervention protocols independently (e.g., wheelchair user);
• Patients who are receiving another physical therapy intervention to treat their pain.