The Effectiveness of Neurodynamic Techniques in Patients With Nerve-Related Leg Pain

Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre

Status: Completed

Conditions: Signs and Symptoms; Nerve Pain; Low Back Ache; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Sciatica; Low Back Pain

Treatments: Procedure: Neurodynamic Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01954199

UFCSPA

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to verify if patients with nerve-related leg pain benefits from neurodynamic treatment over two weeks.

Full description

Nerve-related leg pain (NRLP) although less prevalent than low back pain itself, is associated with higher economic and social burden, and has been considered a predictor of chronicity and disability among subjects with low back pain.

Numerous approaches are proposed for its management; however, evidence regarding the best therapeutic approach is lacking. Neurodynamic techniques are proposed to be effective to manage NRLP.

Thus, this study aims to verify, through a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of a two-week program of neurodynamic techniques on pain and disability in individuals with NRLP.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• unilateral leg pain (Intensity ≥ 3)
• Pain distal to the buttocks
• Reproduction of symptoms and change in symptoms with structural differentiation (cervical return to neutral position or ankle dorsiflexion) with slump test;

Exclusion criteria

• cauda equina syndrome;
• bilateral leg pain;
• crossed Lasègue sign;
• previous surgery in the lumbar spine;
• inflammatory arthropathies;
• malignancy
• being in litigation or in work-compensation due to back and/or leg pain
• being receiving physiotherapy treatment at the time of baseline assessment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Neurodynamic group

Experimental group

Description:

Patients allocated to this group will receive three different neurodynamic techniques: a lumbar foramen dynamic opener; a side-lying slider and a slider in the slump position. Patients will be asked to perform home exercises (a slider and a tensioner technique). Treatment will receive four treatments during two weeks (two sessions/week).

Treatment:

Procedure: Neurodynamic Group

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Patients allocated to Control Group (CG) will receive no intervention and will be advised according to the best evidence available; i.e, advice to remain active and to resume activities of daily living Upon trial completion, treatment will be offered.