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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01954199

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

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

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Key information

Conditions

Nerve Pain Back Pain Low Back Ache Low Back Pain Mononeuropathies Nervous System Diseases Neuralgia Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nerve Injuries Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Sciatic Neuropathy Sciatica Signs and Symptoms Trauma, Nervous System Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170, Brazil

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Neurodynamic Group

Procedure

All techniques will be executed in a pain-free way (grade III). Mild discomfort will be accepted, but it must subside as soon as the technique ends.

  • In the dynamic opener technique, patient will be positioned in side-lying, with the affected side upwards. The therapist will then perform grade III oscillations aiming to open the lumbar foramen;
  • In the side-lying slider, the patient will be in side-lying with the affected side upwards. A combination of knee and hip flexion and extension movements will produce sliding in the neural structures;
  • In the slump slider, the patient will be seated in slump position. Combinations between neck and knee movements will produce greater nerve excursion than the side-lying slider. Patients will perform the slump slider in a pain-free manner.

Other names: Neural mobilization, Sliders, Tensioners, Nerve tissue management

Primary outcomes

  1. Leg Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

    Leg Pain will be measured by a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (Pain NRS)

  2. Disability

    Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

    Disability will be measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Leg pain Intensity

    Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

    Leg Pain will me measured by a 0-10 Pain NRS

  2. Disability

    Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

    Disability will be measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  3. Back pain intensity

    Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

    Back Pain will me measured by an 0-10 Pain NRS

  4. Back pain intensity

    Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

    Back Pain will me measured by an 0-10 Pain NRS

  5. Distribution of Symptoms

    Time frame: Two weeks, Four weeks after randomization

    Distribution of symptoms will me measured by a body diagram

  6. Function

    Time frame: Two weeks, Four weeks after randomization

    Function will be measured by the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)

  7. Global Perceived Effect

    Time frame: Two weeks, Four weeks after randomization

    Global Perceived Effect will be measured by an 11-point (-5 to +5) Global Perceived Effect Scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Oct 1, 2013
Registry last updated
Jun 2, 2016

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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