Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Enrolling by invitation

NCT Number: NCT07772674

Comparative Effects of Neural Gliders With Extracorporeal Shockwave and Withour Extracorporeal Shockwave

This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing Neural Gliders with and without Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in patients with Deep Gluteal Syndrome. A total of 44 participants are divided equally into two groups: Group A receives neural gliders, ESWT, and conventional physiotherapy, while Group B receives neural gliders with conventional physiotherapy only. The study evaluates changes in pain, functional disability, and nerve mechano-sensitivity using NPRS, ODI, LEFS, Slump Test, FAIR Test, and SLR. Its aim is to determine whether adding ESWT provides greater clinical improvement than neural gliders alone.

Enrolling by invitation

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Deep Gluteal Syndrome Hip socket neuropathy

Age range

25 month–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Management and technology Sialkot Campus

Sialkot, Punjab Province, 51070, Pakistan

About this study

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of Neural Gliders with and without Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in patients with Deep Gluteal Syndrome (DGS). A total of 44 participants will be randomly divided into two equal groups of 22. Group A will receive neural gliding exercises combined with ESWT and conventional physiotherapy, while Group B will receive neural gliding exercises with conventional physiotherapy only. The conventional treatment includes a hot pack and piriformis stretching. The main outcomes are pain intensity, functional disability, lower-limb function, and nerve mechano-sensitivity, assessed using the NPRS, ODI, LEFS, Slump Test, FAIR Test, and Straight Leg Raise (SLR). The intervention is planned for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and the study aims to determine whether adding ESWT to neural gliders provides greater improvement in pain, function, and nerve mobility than neural gliders alone.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals aged 25 to 45 years, including both genders 55
  • Positive FAIR, Active Piriformis Test, Seated Piriformis Stretch Test 56,6,57
  • NPRS pain score ≥ 3/10 55
  • For a minimum of four weeks, there has been unilateral discomfort in the buttock, with or without accompanying posterior thigh pain, exacerbated by sitting 58

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous surgery involving the ipsilateral hip, pelvis, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac joint 34
  • Women who were pregnant or nursing were excluded 59
  • Medical conditions such as tumors or fractures 60
  • Neuromuscular disorders that impair normal lumbopelvic morphology or progressive neurologic disease 60
  • Disc pathologies identified through radiological imaging 17
  • Pathologies of the hip joint and soft tissues 17
  • Recent trauma history 17
  • History of polyneuropathy, sciatic nerve injury, rheumatological disease, or malignancy 17
  • Corticosteroid therapy or opioid-derived analgesia for pain during the previous month 17

Treatment and study plan

Group A= Neural Gliders with ESWT

Other

We use Neural Gliders in Deep Gluteal Syndrome because the sciatic nerve can become irritated or restricted as it passes through the deep gluteal region. Neural gliding produces gentle alternating movements that allow the nerve to slide within its pathway, helping improve nerve mobility, reduce mechano-sensitivity, improve circulation around the nerve, and decrease pain and functional limitation.

We combine Neural Gliders with ESWT because the two interventions target different components of the problem. Neural gliders mainly address nerve mobility and sensitivity, while ESWT is intended to act on the surrounding deep gluteal/piriformis tissues by helping reduce pain, improve blood flow, decrease tissue tightness, and stimulate healing.

Group B= Neural Gliders without ESWT

Other

We use neural gliders to improve sciatic nerve mobility and reduce nerve mechano-sensitivity. We add ESWT because it may reduce pain, improve circulation, and treat tight or restricted deep gluteal tissues. Therefore, the combination may address both the nerve and the surrounding soft tissues more effectively."

Primary outcomes

  1. Universal Gonimeter

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    A Universal Goniometer is a simple clinical instrument used to measure joint range of motion in degrees. It consists of a central axis or fulcrum with one stationary arm and one movable arm, which are aligned with anatomical landmarks during measurement. In this study, the goniometer is used during the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test to record the angle at which pain, tightness, or neural symptoms appear. A lower SLR angle indicates greater restriction or nerve mechano-sensitivity, while an increased angle after treatment suggests improved nerve mobility and functional recovery.

  2. NPRS

    Time frame: 6 weeks

    The NPRS is simple 0-10 scale used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their pain where 0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain. In your study, it helps track changes in buttock and leg caused by deep gluteal syndrome. A score reduction after treatment indicates improvement. Clinically, a change of ≥ 2 points is considered meaningful

Secondary outcomes

  1. LEFS

    Time frame: 6 WEEKS

    The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a patient-reported outcome measure utilized to evaluate functional impairments in individuals with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders 71

    . There are twenty items in the LEFS, and the scores range from 0 (extreme difficulty/unable to perform activity) to 4 (no difficulty). By adding up the scores for each item, the overall score can be found. Extreme limitations are indicated by a score of 0, while a maximum score of 80 denotes no functional limitations82

    • When compared to the SF-36, the LEFS's construct validity was confirmed, and its sensitivity to change was higher than the SF-36's.The subgroup of patients with more chronic conditions showed excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.94; 95 percent lower limit CI = 0.89) 71
    • When tested against the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test as an external criterion, the LEFS showed exceptional diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 96% at a cut-off score of 53

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Neural Gliders With Extracorporeal Shockwave and Withour Extracorporeal Shockwave on Pain, Functional Disability and Nerve Mechano-sensitivity on Patients With Deep Gluteal Syndrome; a Randomized Clinical Trial

Acronym: Neural Gliders

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.