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

N/ACompletedNCT01954199

Federal University of Health Science of Porto Alegre60 enrolled

Overview

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

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

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

Interventions

Neurodynamic GroupPROCEDURE

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.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Leg Pain Intensity

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

Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

Disability

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

Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

Secondary Outcomes

Leg pain Intensity

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

Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

Disability

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

Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

Back pain intensity

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

Time frame: Two weeks after randomization

Back pain intensity

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

Time frame: Four weeks after randomization

Distribution of Symptoms

Distribution of symptoms will me measured by a body diagram

Time frame: Two weeks, Four weeks after randomization

Function

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

Time frame: Two weeks, Four weeks after randomization

Global Perceived Effect

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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