Neural mobilization versus somatosensory motor control in treatment of chronic low back pain with unilateral sciatica: a randomized clinical trial.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 researcher at department of musculoskeletal disorders - faculty of Physical Therapy - Cairo University

2 Department of musculoskeletal disorders - faculty of physical therapy - Cairo university

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal illnesses in 
contemporary culture. The greater demand for orthopedic physical therapy identifies the 
need for more evidence-based techniques. Purpose: This research compared the efficacy 
of neural mobilization and somatosensory motor control training on balance, nerve 
excitability, and lumbar range of motion in individuals with persistent low back pain and 
unilateral sciatica. Methods: Forty-five male and female patients with persistent lower 
back pain and unilateral sciatica were included in this investigation. They were between 
thirty and fifty years old. They were randomly divided into three treatment groups 
(groups A, B, and C) of equal size. Group A received a traditional physiotherapy program 
(Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), hot pack, passive stretching, and 
core strengthening). Group B received the same traditional program, followed by sciatic 
neural slider mobilization. Group C received the traditional program followed by 
somatosensory motor control training, which consisted of proprioceptive neuromuscular 
facilitation (PNF), somatosensory exercises, and vestibular exercises. Results: All 
groups had statistically significant improvements in all outcome measures (p < 0.05) post 
treatment. No significant variations were recorded among the three groups in respect to 
balance scores, lumbar range of motion, and pain (p > 0.05) post treatment. Group B and 
C similarly improved and higher than group A in respect to nerve excitability (H latency). Group B improved significantly higher than group A and C in respect to 
function (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Adding the neural mobilization and/or somatosensory 
motor control training to traditional physiotherapy program is beneficial in management 
of individuals with persistent lower back discomfort and unilateral sciatica.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics