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NCT Number: NCT07808476

Efficacy Of Gross Myofascial Release With Neural Mobilization Versus Neural Mobilization Alone On Pain, Functional Limitations, And Cervical Range Of Motion In Cervical Radiculopathy

This is a randomized control trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of gross myofascial release with neural mobilization versus neural mobilization alone on pain, functional limitations, and cervical range of motion in cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy, is characterized by neck pain, pain radiating down the arm, numbness, tingling, weakness of muscles and functionality limitations with compression or irritation of the cervical nerve root due to cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniations or degeneration of the cervical spine leading to cervical radiculopathy and the diminished quality of life from decreased day-to-day functional capacity and productivity at work. The study will evaluate pain, functional limitations, and cervical range of motion.

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Key information

Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Radiculopathy

Age range

25 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

My Health Wellness center, Peshawar

Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Dr. Naeem ullah (PT), DPT, MS PT MSK

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923308088558

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and female patients aged between 25-55 years
  • Presence of chronic neck pain radiating to one upper limb
  • Positive Upper Limb Tension Test-I (Median nerve)
  • Patients having pain, numbness, tingling, or paresthesia in the cervical nerve root distribution.
  • Symptom's duration of at least 4 weeks

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with cervical myelopathy
  • History of cervical spine fracture, tumor, infection, or malignancy
  • Previous cervical spine surgery
  • Severe osteoporosis or inflammatory joint disease
  • Presence of systemic neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or stroke
  • Patients with severe cervical instability or vertebral artery insufficiency
  • Recent physiotherapy treatment for cervical radiculopathy within the last 3 months

Treatment and study plan

Gross Myofascial Release + Neural Mobilization

Other

Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive Gross Myofascial Release (GMFR) followed by median nerve neural mobilization. The GMFR intervention will include a gross stretch of the posterior cervical musculature and an upper-quarter (arm pull) fascial stretch. The stretch will be maintained for 90 seconds or until a palpable release of fascial tension is appreciated. Neural mobilization will be performed using the median nerve slider technique.. Neural mobilization will be performed by simultaneously moving the shoulder into greater abduction while the cervical spine is moved into contralateral side flexion to facilitate median nerve sliding(1 set of 10 repetitions with a 3-second hold per repetition). Each treatment session will also include a 10-minute hot pack before treatment and 10 minutes of TENS after treatment. The total session duration will be approximately 40 minutes, administered 3 sessions per week on alternate days for 4 weeks (12 sessions).

Neural Mobilization

Other

Participants allocated to the control group will receive neural mobilization technique. The intervention will be performed with the participant in the supine position, with the shoulder abducted and externally rotated, elbow extended, forearm supinated, and wrist, fingers, and thumb maintained in extension. Neural mobilization will be applied by simultaneously increasing shoulder abduction while moving the cervical spine into contralateral side flexion to facilitate median nerve sliding. Each treatment session will also include a 10-minute hot pack before treatment and 10 minutes of TENS after treatment. The treatment will be administered in 3 sets of 10 repetitions, with each repetition held for 3 seconds and a 60-second rest interval between sets, The total session duration will be approximately 40 minutes, administered 3 sessions per week on alternate days for 4 weeks (12 sessions).

Primary outcomes

  1. Universal Goniometer

    Time frame: Baseline to 4th week

    The Universal Goniometer (UG) will used in this study to measure active cervical range of motion (ROM), is a simple, inexpensive, and portable clinical instrument that provides objective measurements of joint movement in degrees. Cervical range of motion is recorded in degrees (°) for each movement direction. Lower ROM values indicate greater movement restriction and functional impairment, whereas higher values reflect improved cervical mobility.

  2. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

    Time frame: Baseline to 4th week

    The Neck Disability Index (NDI) will used in this study to evaluate the level of functional disability associated with cervical radiculopathy. The NDI is one of the most widely accepted patient-reported outcome measures for assessing the impact of neck pain on daily functioning. The questionnaire consists of 10 items, including pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreational activities. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, The total NDI score ranges from 0 to 50, with higher scores representing greater functional disability. For clinical interpretation, scores are commonly classified as follows: 0-4 (no disability), 5-14 (mild disability), 15-24 (moderate disability), 25-34 (severe disability), and 35-50 (complete disability). A reduction in the total score following treatment indicates an improvement in functional status and a decreased impact of neck pain on daily activities.

  3. Visual Analogue Scale

    Time frame: Baseline to 4th week

    The intensity of the pain will be measured with the help of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS is a 10-cm horizontal line with two opposite endpoints marked with the following words: "no pain" at one end and "worst imaginable pain" at the other. The patient will then mark a point on the line that they feel most accurately reflects their current pain. The distance in centimeters or millimeters between the "no pain" point and the patient's mark will be taken as the measure of the patient's pain.

  4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

    Time frame: Baseline to 4th week

    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine was used in this study to confirm the diagnosis cervical radiculopathy before participant enrollment. It enables accurate identification of disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, nerve root compression, and other degenerative changes associated with cervical radiculopathy.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Salma Bibi, DPT, MS OMPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923417312210

komal hameed, MSPT

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923315798880

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 8, 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.

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