The Effectiveness of Neural Mobilization for Neuromusculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Effects of neural mobilization of sciatic nerve and its branches in plantar foot pressures and stabilometry

Benefits of neural mobilization (NM) have been described in musculoskeletal patients. The effects of NM on balance appear to be unclear in research, and no studies have tested the possible effects of NM on plantar pressures. Eighteen subjects were evaluated pre and post bilateral gliding of the sciatic nerve and its branches posterior tibial nerve, lateral dorsocutaneous, medial and intermediate dorsocutaneous nerves. Static variables of the plantar footprint and stabilometric variables were measured in a pre-post study. We found no differences in plantar pressure variables, Rearfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.376), Rearfoot medium pressure (p = 0.106), Rearfoot surface (p = 0.896), Midfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.975), Midfoot medium pressure (p = 0.950), Midfoot surface (p = 0.470) Forefoot maximum pressure (p = 0.559), Forefoot medium pressure(p = 0.481), Forefoot surface (p = 0.234), and stabilometric variables either, X-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.086), Y-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.544), Surface eyes-open (p = 0.411), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-open (p = 0.613), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-open (p = 0.442), X Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.126), Y-Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.077), Surface eyes-closed (p = 0.502), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.956), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.349). All variables don´t have significant differences however the measurements had a high reliability with at least an ICC of 0.769. NM doesn´t change plantar pressures or improve balance in healthy non-athletes subjects. NCT05190900.

Mechanisms of neurodynamic treatments (MONET): a protocol for a mechanistic, randomised, single-blind controlled trial in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Physiotherapeutic management is the first-line intervention for patients with entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). As part of physiotherapy, neurodynamic interventions are often used to treat people with peripheral nerve involvement, but their mechanisms of action are yet to be fully understood. The MONET (mechanisms of neurodynamic treatment) study aims to investigate the mechanisms of action of neurodynamic exercise intervention on nerve structure, and function.

METHODS

This mechanistic, randomised, single-blind, controlled trial will include 78 people with electrodiagnostically confirmed mild or moderate CTS and 30 healthy participants (N = 108). Patients will be randomly assigned into (1) a 6-week progressive home-based neurodynamic exercise intervention (n = 26), (2) a steroid injection (= 26), or (3) advice (n = 26) group. The primary outcome measure is fractional anisotropy of the median nerve at the wrist using advanced magnetic resonance neuroimaging. Secondary outcome measures include neuroimaging markers at the wrist, quantitative sensory testing, electrodiagnostics, and patient reported outcome measures. Exploratory outcomes include neuroimaging markers at the cervical spine, inflammatory and axonal integrity markers in serial blood samples and biopsies of median nerve innervated skin. We will evaluate outcome measures at baseline and at the end of the 6-week intervention period. We will repeat questionnaires at 6-months. Two-way repeated measures ANCOVAs, followed by posthoc testing will be performed to identify differences in outcome measures among groups and over time.

DISCUSSION

This study will advance our understanding of the mechanisms of action underpinning neurodynamic exercises, which will ultimately help clinicians to better target these treatments to those patients who may benefit from them. The inclusion of a positive control group (steroid injection) and a negative control group (advice) will strengthen the interpretation of our results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05859412, 20/4/2023.

Optimizing Pain Relief and Range of Motion in Unilateral Cervical Radiculopathy: A Study on Neural Tissue Mobilization and Cervical Stabilization Exercises

Background This study aimed to analyze the combined effect of neural mobilization along with cervical stabilization exercises on pain and cervical range of motion in unilateral cervical radiculopathy patients. Methodology A total of 30 patients aged 30-45 years with unilateral cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided into the following two groups: experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15). The experimental group received neural mobilization along with cervical stabilization exercises, while the control group received conventional treatment. Outcome measures included pain intensity measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), functional status of the neck measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and cervical range of motion measured by a goniometer. All measures were taken before treatment, after treatment, and at the one-week follow-up. Results The results showed statistically significant positive improvements in VAS, NDI score, and cervical range of motion in unilateral cervical radiculopathy subjects of the experimental group. Conclusions Neural mobilization combined with cervical stabilization exercises led to significant improvements in pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy compared to conventional treatment.

Surgical management of cubital tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Background

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CUTS) is a common upper limb compression neuropathy with significant consequences when left untreated. Surgical decompression remains gold-standard treatment for moderate to severe disease, however the optimal operative technique remains unclear. This network meta-analysis (NMA) of Level I and II randomised prospective studies aims to discern superiority between open in-situ, endoscopic and anterior transposition (subcutaneous or submuscular techniques) with respect to the primary outcome of response-to-treatment and secondary outcomes which include complications, post-operative chronic pain VAS scale, return to work and re-operation.

Methods

This NMA adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, Science direct and Embase were searched. The MESH database was further searched with the terms 'cubital tunnel' to improve sensitivity of the search. Data pertaining to the primary and secondary outcomes were pooled for NMA.

Results

Following abstract and full-text screening, 10 randomised prospective trials were included. There was no statistical difference in the response-to-treatment between the four studied techniques. Endoscopic decompression conferred a significantly higher complication rate compared to open decompression (Odds Ratio [OR], 4.21; 95% CI, 1.22-14.59). Endoscopic decompression had a statistically significant lower risk of post-operative chronic pain compared to open in-situ decompression (OR, 0.03, 95% CI, 0.00-0.32). There were no differences between techniques with respect to return to work or re-operation rates.

Conclusion

Response-to-treatment was similar between the four operative techniques for CUTS. Endoscopic decompression was found to be more hazardous when compared to open-in situ decompression but conferred significantly less post-operative chronic pain. There was significant heterogeneity in reported outcomes between the included articles. The authors suggest conducting more high-quality research with standardised outcome reporting to facilitate comparison.

Level of evidence ii

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Prospective Trials- Therapeutic study.

Routine Physical Therapy with and without Neural Mobilization in Chronic Musculoskeletal Neck Disorders with Nerve-Related Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

No previous study has evaluated the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization for patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of routine physical therapy with and without neural mobilization on pain and mobility in patients with chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials involving the use of neural mobilization techniques for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and PEDro scale. Data were pooled and a meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model with Review Manager 5 software. Seven articles were included in our review. Significant differences were found in mobility but not in pain in favor of using routine physical therapy with neural mobilization for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy. Our results show that routine physical therapy accompanied by neural mobilization is superior for improving mobility in comparison with routine physical therapy alone in patients with musculoskeletal neck disorders and cervical radiculopathy.

Exploring Symptom Responses to Upper Limb Neural Test Variations of the Radial Nerve in Patients With Lateral Epicondylalgia: An Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Clinical practice guidelines recommend the radial nerve mechanosensitivity evaluation in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. Despite different positions and sequences having been described, no research analyzed how each variation triggers symptoms associated with lateral epicondylalgia. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of different positions and sequences in the upper limb neural tension test 2b (ULNT2b) in symptom responses in patients with lateral epicondylalgia.

METHODS

In this observational study, 66 patients underwent 4 test conditions: standard ULNT2b, ULNT2b proximal to distal, ULNT2B with resisted supination, and resisted supination isolated. Paresthesia sensations, symptom reproduction, pain intensity (measured using a visual analog scale), and distribution of painful symptoms data were collected.

RESULTS

Significant differences in paresthesia sensations were observed between groups, with significant differences between the standard ULNT2B and other ULNT variations or resisted supination maneuvers. Symptom reproduction also differed significantly across groups, with significant differences between the standard ULNT2B and other ULNT or resisted supination tests. The positive/negative test and percentage of distribution of painful symptoms scores varied significantly across 4 conditions in both lateral and frontal views. Although pain intensity scores during tests were comparable among the tests, distribution of painful symptoms differed significantly.

CONCLUSION

Variations in the ULNT2b test can affect symptom responses in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. The standard ULNT2b test appears more effective at reproducing symptoms, intensity of paresthesia, and distribution of painful symptoms compared to other ULNT variations and the resisted supination test.

IMPACT

ULNT2b sequences have been shown to elicit varying responses concerning paresthesia, replication of familiar symptoms, positive/negative test results, and distribution of painful symptoms. Clinicians should consider specific test variations during the patients' radial nerve mechanosensitivity assessment to identify aggravating factors reproducing recognizable symptoms. A control group of asymptomatic participants and the role of presence of other comorbidities, psychological factors, or the duration of symptoms were not considered in this study and might play an important role influencing the results of the tests.

Which Portion of Physiotherapy Treatments' Effect Is Not Attributable to the Specific Effects in People With Musculoskeletal Pain? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify the proportion not attributable to the specific effects (PCE) of physical therapy interventions for musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis. LITERATURE SEARCH: We searched Ovid, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, and SPORTDiscus databases from inception to April 2023. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effect of physical therapy interventions on musculoskeletal pain. DATA SYNTHESIS: Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). The proportion of physical therapy interventions effect that was not explained by the specific effect of the intervention was calculated, using the proportion not attributable to the specific effects (PCE) metric, and a quantitative summary of the data from the studies was conducted using the random-effects inverse-variance model (Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method). RESULTS: Sixty-eight studies were included in the systematic review (participants: n = 5238), and 54 placebo-controlled trials informed our meta-analysis (participants: n = 3793). Physical therapy interventions included soft tissue techniques, mobilization, manipulation, taping, exercise therapy, and dry needling. Placebo interventions included manual, nonmanual interventions, or both. The proportion not attributable to the specific effects of mobilization accounted for 88% of the immediate overall treatment effect for pain intensity (PCE = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57, 1.20). In exercise therapy, this proportion accounted for 46% of the overall treatment effect for pain intensity (PCE = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.52). The PCE in manipulation excelled in short-term pain relief (PCE = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.62, 1.01) and in mobilization in long-term effects (PCE = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.96). In taping, the PCE accounted for 64% of disability improvement (PCE = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.80). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of physical therapy interventions for musculoskeletal pain were significantly influenced by factors not attributable to the specific effects of the interventions. Boosting these factors consciously to enhance therapeutic outcomes represents an ethical opportunity that could benefit patients. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(6):391-399. Epub 11 April 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12126.

Efficacy of neuromobilization in the treatment of low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. Neuromobilization (NM) as a physical therapy technique, offers some degree of symptom improvement. However, some studies have shown that NM can significantly reduce the symptoms of LBP, while others have failed to find similar positive effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of NM for LBP.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted across five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science) from their inception to December 2023. Study main measures assessed pain, disability, and straight leg raise angle to determine the degree of improvement in patients.

RESULTS

Seven randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. The findings indicated that NM interventions in patients with LBP were more effective than control groups in improving Visual Analog Scale scores (mean difference = 0.62, 95% CI (0.03, 1.21)) and Oswestry Disability Index scores (mean difference = 7.54, 95% CI (4.98, 10.10)). There was no significant difference in straight leg raise results (mean difference = 0.18, 95% CI (-0.08, 0.44)).

CONCLUSIONS

NM demonstrated effectiveness in improving Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index outcomes in patients with LBP, but straight leg raise outcomes are still uncertain and until more high-quality studies are included, the effectiveness of NM for SLR remains unknown.

Effectiveness of neural mobilisation for the treatment of nerve-related cervicobrachial pain: a systematic review with subgroup meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Neural mobilisations (NM) have been advocated for the treatment of nerve-related cervicobrachial pain; however, it is unclear what types of patients with nerve-related cervicobrachial pain (if any) may benefit. Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, PeDro, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until December 2022. Randomised controlled trials were included if they assessed the effectiveness of NM in nerve-related cervicobrachial pain, and outcome measures were pain intensity and/or disability. Studies were classified according to their inclusion/exclusion criteria as radiculopathy , Wainner cluster , Hall , and Elvey cluster or other . Meta-analyses with subgroup analyses were performed. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Rob2 tool. Twenty-seven studies were included. For pain and disability reduction, NM was found to be more effective than no treatment (pooled pain mean difference [MD] = -2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.81 to -1.81; pooled disability standardized mean difference = -1.55, 95% CI = -2.72 to -0.37), increased the effectiveness of standard physiotherapy as an adjuvant when compared with standard physiotherapy alone (pooled pain MD = -1.44, 95% CI = -1.98 to -0.89; pooled disability MD = -11.07, 95% CI = -16.38 to -5.75) but was no more effective than cervical traction (pooled pain MD = -0.33, 95% CI = -1.35 to 0.68; pooled disability MD = -10.09, 95% CI = -21.89 to 1.81). For disability reduction, NM was found to be more effective than exercise (pooled MD = -18.27, 95% CI = -20.29 to -17.44). In most comparisons, there were significant differences in the effectiveness of NM between the subgroups. Neural mobilisations was consistently more effective than all alternative interventions (no treatment, traction, exercise, and standard physiotherapy alone) in 13 studies classified as Wainner cluster . PROSPERO registration: CRD42022376087.

Nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic low back pain? The low back pain phenotyping (BACPAP) consortium's international and multidisciplinary consensus recommendations

The potential to classify low back pain as being characterised by dominant nociceptive, neuropathic, or nociplastic mechanisms is a clinically relevant issue. Preliminary evidence suggests that these low back pain phenotypes might respond differently to treatments; however, more research must be done before making specific recommendations. Accordingly, the low back pain phenotyping (BACPAP) consortium was established as a group of 36 clinicians and researchers from 13 countries (five continents) and 29 institutions, to apply a modified Nominal Group Technique methodology to develop international and multidisciplinary consensus recommendations to provide guidance for identifying the dominant pain phenotype in patients with low back pain, and potentially adapt pain management strategies. The BACPAP consortium's recommendations are also intended to provide direction for future clinical research by building on the established clinical criteria for neuropathic and nociplastic pain. The BACPAP consortium's consensus recommendations are a necessary early step in the process to determine if personalised pain medicine based on pain phenotypes is feasible for low back pain management. Therefore, these recommendations are not ready to be implemented in clinical practice until additional evidence is generated that is specific to these low back pain phenotypes.

Effects of the Three-Direction Movement Control Focus Complex Pain Program and Neurodynamic Focus Complex Pain Program on Pain, Mechanosensitivity, and Body Function in Taekwondo Athletes with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

We aimed to determine the effects of three-direction movement control focus complex pain program (3D-MCE) and neurodynamic focus complex pain program (NDT) on pain, mechanosensitivity, and body function in Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain. This study used a two-group pretest-posttest design and was conducted at a university physiotherapy lab and training center. It included 21 Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain from a Taekwondo studio and a University in Busan. Participants were divided into a 3D-MCE group (n = 10) and an NDT group (n = 10). The numerical rating pain scale (NRPS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), movement analysis, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. The intervention was performed for 45 min twice a week for 4 weeks. Each group performed movement control exercises and neurodynamic techniques. The NRPS, motion analysis, and ODI were significantly changed after the intervention in the 3-DMCE group. The NRPS, PPT, and ODI changed significantly after the intervention in the NDT group. Moreover, the PPT and motion analysis showed significant differences between the two groups. For Taekwondo athletes with non-specific low back pain, 3D-MCE improved the stability control ability of the lumbar spine. It was confirmed that neurodynamic techniques reduce muscle and nerve mechanosensitivity.

Effectiveness of Neural Mobilisation on Pain Intensity, Functional Status, and Physical Performance in Adults with Musculoskeletal Pain - A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate up-to-date evidence of the effectiveness of neural mobilisation techniques compared with any type of comparator in improving pain, function, and physical performance in people with musculoskeletal pain.

DATA SOURCES

The following sources were consulted: PubMed, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and PEDro databases; scientific repositories; and clinical trial registers. The last search was performed on 01/06/2023.

METHODS

Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for inclusion. We included randomised, quasi-randomised, and crossover trials on musculoskeletal pain in which at least one group received neural mobilisation (alone or as part of multimodal interventions). Meta-analyses were performed where possible. The RoB 2 and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tools were used to assess risk of bias and to rate the certainty of evidence, respectively.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine trials were identified. There was a significant effect favouring neural mobilisation for pain and function in people with low back pain, but not for flexibility. For neck pain, there was a significant effect favouring neural mobilisation as part of multimodal interventions for pain, but not for function and range of motion. Regarding other musculoskeletal conditions, it was not possible to conclude whether neural mobilisation is effective in improving pain and function. There was very low confidence for all effect estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Neural mobilisation as part of multimodal interventions appears to have a positive effect on pain for patients with low back pain and neck pain and on function in people with low back pain. For the other musculoskeletal conditions, results are inconclusive.

The effectiveness of nerve mechanical interface treatment for entrapment neuropathies in the limbs: A systematic review with metanalysis

BACKGROUND

Neurodynamic approach employs neural mobilization and mechanical nerve interface techniques. While published studies investigated the efficacy of neural mobilization, it is currently unknown whether manual treatment of the nerve mechanical interface is effective in the treatment of people with entrapment neuropathies.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the effectiveness of mechanical interface treatment, including joint and soft tissue techniques, on pain and function in people with peripheral entrapment neuropathies.

DESIGN

Intervention systematic review with metanalysis.

METHODS

the databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, APA PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, PubMed and ScienceDirect were searched from their inception to October 2022. Randomized controlled trials investigating mechanical interface treatment in isolation in patients with peripheral entrapment neuropathies were included. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Certainty of evidence for each outcome was judged using the GRADE framework.

RESULTS

11 studies were included in the review, all investigating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Due to high heterogeneity of interventions and comparators, only five studies were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. There was evidence of mechanical interface techniques being more effective in reducing pain than sham (MD -2.47 [-3.94;-0.99]) and similarly effective as neural mobilization (MD -0.22 [-0.76; 0.33]) in CTS, albeit with low to very low certainty in the results.

CONCLUSION

mechanical interface techniques are effective for improving pain and function in people with CTS. However, the marked heterogeneity of included interventions and comparators prevents clinical recommendation of specific treatments.

Peripheral and central changes induced by neural mobilization in animal models of neuropathic pain: a systematic review

Introduction

Neural mobilization (NM) is a physiotherapy technique involving the passive mobilization of limb nerve structures with the aim to attempt to restore normal movement and structural properties. In recent years, human studies have shown pain relief in various neuropathic diseases and other pathologies as a result of this technique. Improvement in the range of motion (ROM), muscle strength and endurance, limb function, and postural control were considered beneficial effects of NM. To determine which systems generate these effects, it is necessary to conduct studies using animal models. The objective of this study was to gather information on the physiological effects of NM on the peripheral and central nervous systems (PNS and CNS) in animal models.

Methods

The search was performed in Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science and included 8 studies according to the inclusion criteria.

Results

The physiological effects found in the nervous system included the analgesic, particularly the endogenous opioid pathway, the inflammatory, by modulation of cytokines, and the immune system.

Conclusion

On the basis of these results, we can conclude that NM physiologically modifies the peripheral and central nervous systems in animal models.

Manual Therapy with Neural Mobilization: Immediate Effect on the Vocal Quality of Women with Dysphonia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the immediate effect of neural mobilization on the voice quality, self-perceived phonatory effort, and laryngeal muscles of women with behavioral dysphonia.

METHOD

This is an intrasubject comparative study. The research included 21 women aged 18 to 59 years with vocal complaints. Therefore, the selection of this sample excluded the lower limit of the voice change period and the upper limit of presbyphonia. The participants were assessed by voice acoustic and auditory-perceptual analysis, self-reported vocal effort, and laryngeal palpation performed at three moments: at baseline, after 10 minutes of vocal resting, and after manual therapy. The participants were divided into two groups: the group with 10 minutes of vocal resting (G1) and the group with intervention (G2). The patients in the intervention group underwent manual therapy using neural mobilization in the laryngeal region. For the statistical analysis, a descriptive analysis of the data was performed first with measures of central tendency and dispersion. Subsequently, the Anderson-Darling test was used to verify sample normality. To analyze the difference between three groups were used the parametric One-Way ANOVA or the non-parametric Friedman's test. The McNemar's or chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical variables and to compare an ordinal variable a non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used. The Gwet's AC1 test was used to assess intra-rater agreement in the auditory-perceptual analysis response.

RESULTS

Neural mobilization in the laryngeal region showed no positive effects on the acoustic voice parameters and voice quality of women with dysphonia. Phonatory effort improved after neural mobilization in the laryngeal region (p = 0.004). There was no significant change in supralaryngeal resistance, lateral laryngeal resistance, and laryngeal position after neural mobilization in the laryngeal region.

CONCLUSION

Neural mobilization improved phonatory comfort but did have any effect on the voice quality and laryngeal musculature of women with dysphonia.

Specific Neurodynamic Exercises on Pain and Disability in Old Women with Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Neurodynamic exercise is a specific type of exercise used as a neural treatment that focuses on restoring altered homeostasis in the neuroimmune system by mobilising the nervous system and other structures. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effect of neurodynamic exercises on disability and neck pain in elderly women over four weeks. Participants were randomized into two groups: a neurodynamic (NM) group (n = 28) and a non-specific exercise (NSE) group (n = 28). Inclusion criteria were women over 65 years of age who subjectively admitted to having mechanical neck pain for more than six months. Results showed that specific neurodynamic exercises can improve pain and disability in older women with chronic mechanical neck pain. Improvements were observed in all variables (p < 0.05). Significant between-group differences in favour of the NM group were only found for neck pressure pain thresholds and both tibialis anterior muscles. Larger effect sizes were obtained in favour of the NM group, especially for pain, disability, neck extension and inclination and pressure pain thresholds. Neurodynamic exercises have been shown to be more clinically relevant in disability and neck pain in older women.

Effect of neural mobilisation in Bell's palsy: A randomised controlled trial

Background

Neural mobilisation technique is effective in spinal nerve rehabilitation. However, no study has reported the effect of facial nerve mobilisation in acute Bell's palsy.

Objectives

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of facial neural mobilisation over conventional therapy in improving facial symmetry in patients with acute Bell's palsy.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial was conducted in the physical therapy department for 62 patients with acute Bell's palsy. The intervention included 10 days of drug therapy including 3 weeks of conventional therapy to the experimental and the control group. However, the experimental group received additional nerve mobilisation technique aimed at mobilising the facial nerve at the origin of external auditory meatus. All participants were assessed at baseline and after three weeks using the Sunnybrook facial grading system (SBS) and Kinovea Movement Analysis Software (KMAS).

Results

For primary outcome, analysis of covariance with baseline data as covariate showed a significant difference between groups for the post-test mean scores of SBS after 3 weeks (between-group difference, 9.2 [95% CI, 5.1-13.3], p = 0 . 001 . Importantly, the effect size calculated by partial η 2 for neural mobilisation was 0.258 (small effect size). For secondary outcomes, independent sample t-test showed a significant difference between groups for the scores on KMAS after 3 weeks for zygomatic muscle (between-group difference, - 27 . 2 [95% CI, - 31 to - 22 . 6 ], p = 0 . 001 ), frontalis muscle - 16 . 7 [95% CI, - 9 . 9 to - 23 . 4 ], p = 0 . 001 , and orbicularis oris muscle - 15 . 0 [95% CI, - 11 . 1 to - 18 . 8 ], p = 0 . 001 .

Conclusion

Facial neural mobilisation is likely to be an effective adjunctive intervention in addition to conventional therapy in improving facial symmetry in acute Bell's palsy.

The effectiveness of neuromobilization exercises in carpal tunnel syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To examine the effectiveness of Neuromobilization Exercises (NE) on pain, grip and pinch strength, two-point discrimination, motor and sensory distal latency, symptom severity, and functional status using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

METHODS

Major electronic databases were searched from inception up to September 2021 for randomized trials comparing the effects of NE with or without other interventions against no treatment, surgery, or other interventions in patients with CTS. Standardized Mean Differences (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects inverse variance model according to the outcome of interest and comparison group. Methodological quality was assessed with PEDro and quality of evidence with the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

Twenty-five articles were included and sixteen of them demonstrated high methodological quality. NE was superior to no treatment on pain (very low-quality evidence; SMD = -2.36, 95% CI -4.31 to -0.41). NE was superior to no treatment on the functional scale of the BCTQ (low-quality evidence; SMD = -1.27 95% CI -1.60 to -0.94). Most importantly, NE did not demonstrate evidence of clinical effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Low to very low-quality evidence suggests that there are no clinical benefits of NE in patients with mild to moderate CTS.

The sono-elastography evaluation of the immediate effects of neurodynamic mobilization technique on median nerve stiffness in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

OBJECTIVES

The stiffness of median nerve increases in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) even at mild stage of syndrome which could be regarded as a diagnostic criterion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of neurodynamic technique on median nerve stiffness and cross-sectional area (CSA) at wrist and elbow in individuals with CTS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was a quasi-experimental study. Twenty patients were recruited for this study. They were included if aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with CTS based on electrodiagnostic and clinical findings. The exclusion criteria were previous surgeries at wrist or elbow. Patients were assessed by shear wave sono-elastography before and immediately after one session of neurodynamic mobilization technique (NDM). The primary outcome measure was the stiffness of the median nerve at wrist and the secondary outcomes were nerve stiffness at elbow and CSA of nerve at wrist and elbow.

RESULTS

Median nerve stiffness and CSA decreased significantly at wrist immediately after a session of NDM. These parameters also decreased at elbow but were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

One session of NDM reduced the stiffness and CSA of median nerve at wrist in patients with CTS as detected by sono-elastography verifying that sono-elastography is able to quickly detect the immediate biomechanical changes of the median nerve.

Neurodynamic Techniques in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that affects the main nerves in the wrist area that causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and arm. CTS affects 5% of the general population and results in pain in the wrist due to repetitive use, most commonly affecting women and office workers. Conservative management of CTS includes neurodynamic modulation to promote median nerve gliding during upper limb movements to maintain normal function. However, evidence for the benefits of neurodynamic modulation found disparities, and hence, the effectiveness of neurodynamic modulation remains unclear. This study aimed to systematically review the current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to establish the effectiveness of neurodynamic techniques as a non-surgical treatment option for CTS. Using the PRISMA guidelines, two authors searched four electronic databases, and studies were included if they conformed to pre-established eligibility criteria. Primary outcome measures included outcomes from the Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire, while secondary outcomes included nerve conduction velocity, pain, and grip strength. Quality assessment was completed using the Cochrane RoB2 form, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess heterogeneity. Twelve RCTs met our inclusion/exclusion criteria with assessments on 1003 participants in the treatment and control arms. High heterogeneity and some risks of bias were observed between studies, but the results of the meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in our primary outcome, the Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire-symptom severity scale (mean difference = -1.20, 95% CI [-1.72, -0.67], p < 0.00001) and the Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire-functional severity scale (mean difference = -1.06, 95% CI [-1.53, -0.60], p < 0.00001). Secondary outcomes such as sensory and motor conduction velocity increased significantly, while motor latency was significantly reduced, all positively favoring neurodynamic techniques. Pain was also significantly reduced, but grip strength was not significantly different. Our systematic review demonstrates significant benefits of neurodynamic modulation techniques to treat CTS and specifically that it reduces symptom severity, pain, and motor latency, while at the same time improving nerve conduction velocities. Hence, our study demonstrates a clear benefit of neurodynamic techniques to improve recovery CTS.

The consequences of a thoracic outlet syndrome's entrapment model on the biomechanics of the ulnar nerve - Cadaveric study

STUDY DESIGN

A cross sectional cadaveric measurement study.

INTRODUCTION

The etiology of entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndromes or thoracic outlet syndromes (TOS), is usually not only linked with the compressive lesion of the nerve but can also be associated with fibrosis and traction neuropathy.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This work studies the biomechanics of the ulnar nerve in a cadaveric model of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). We explored the biomechanical impact of a restriction of mobility of the ulnar nerve. We measured if it could significantly affect the deformation undergone by the nerve on the rest of its path.

METHODS

We studied 14 ulnar nerves from 7 embalmed cadavers. We opened three 6.5cm windows (at the wrist, forearm, and arm), and two optical markers 2cm apart were sutured to the ulnar nerve. We then studied the deformation of the ulnar nerve in three successive tensioning positions inspired by the ULNT3 manoeuvre (Upper Limb Neural Test 3). We then fixed the brachial plexus to the clavicle to mimic a nerve adhesion at the thoracic outlet.

RESULTS

Fixing the brachial plexus to the clavicle bone had significant effects on ulnar nerve mobility. In the position of intermediate tension, the nerve deformation increased by +0.68% / +1.43% compared to the control measure. In the position of maximum tension, it increased by +1.16% / +1.94%, pushing the nerve beyond the traumatic threshold of 8% of deformation causing reversible damage to axonal transport and vascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our nerve adhesion at the thoracic outlet showed significant effects on the mobility of the ulnar nerve compared to the control situation, by significantly increasing the deformation undergone throughout the rest of the nerve's course, and by taking it over the 8% of physiological traumatic deformation.

Mechanical Effects of a Specific Neurodynamic Mobilization of the Superficial Fibular Nerve: A Cadaveric Study

CONTEXT

A specific neurodynamic mobilization for the superficial fibular nerve (SFN) has been suggested in the reference literature for manual therapists to evaluate nerve mechanosensitivity in patients. However, no authors of biomechanical studies have examined the ability of this technique to produce nerve strain. Therefore, the mechanical specificity of this technique is not yet established.

OBJECTIVES

To test whether this examination and treatment technique produced nerve strain in the fresh frozen cadaver and the contribution of each motion to total longitudinal strain.

DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study.

SETTING

Laboratory.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

A differential variable reluctance transducer was inserted in 10 SFNs from 6 fresh cadavers to measure strain during the mobilization. A specific sequence of plantar flexion, ankle inversion, straight-leg raise position, and 30° of hip adduction was applied to the lower limb. The mobilization was repeated at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of the straight-leg raise position to measure the effect of hip-flexion position.

RESULTS

Compared with a resting position, this neurodynamic mobilization produced a significant amount of strain in the SFN (7.93% ± 0.51%, P < .001). Plantar flexion (59.34% ± 25.82%) and ankle inversion (32.80% ± 21.41%) accounted for the biggest proportions of total strain during the mobilization. No difference was noted among different hip-flexion positions. Hip adduction did not significantly contribute to final strain (0.39% ± 10.42%, P > .05), although high variability among limbs existed.

CONCLUSIONS

Ankle motion should be considered the most important factor during neurodynamic assessment of the SFN for distal entrapment. These results suggest that this technique produces sufficient strain in the SFN and could therefore be evaluated in vivo for correlation with mechanosensitivity.

The Effectiveness of Neuromobilization in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Neuromobilization exercises (NE) could be a useful therapeutic tool to induce analgesia and increase function and range of motion (ROM) in patients with musculoskeletal pathologies with neuropathic components; however, the effectiveness of this intervention in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of NE in CR on pain, function, and ROM.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

An electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro, and EBSCO databases from inception until June 2022. The authors included randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of NE against control groups or other interventions that aimed to treat patients with CR.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Seven clinical trials met the eligibility criteria, and for the quantitative synthesis, 5 studies were included. For the studies that compared NE with a control group, the standardized mean difference for pain was -1.33/10 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.80 to -0.86; P < .01; I2 = 0%), for function with the Neck Disability Index was -1.21/50 (95% CI, -1.67 to -0.75; P < .01; I2 = 0%), and for neck flexion and extensions was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.23 to 1.10; P < .01; I2 = 0%) and 0.47 (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.90; P < .01; I2 = 0%), respectively, with evidence of clinical effectiveness. These findings were based on moderate-quality evidence according to the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation rating. In studies that compared NE with other interventions, the meta-analysis failed to demonstrate the statistical or clinical superiority of NE.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate quality of evidence suggests that NE may be superior to no treatment for pain, function, and ROM in patients with CR. In contrast, NE are not superior to other interventions in the same outcomes, based on low- to very low-quality evidence. More high-quality research is needed to assess the consistency of these results.

Neural mobilization in low back and radicular pain: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain can present with radicular pain caused by lumbosacral nerve root pathology. Neural mobilization (NM) is a treatment technique used to treat low back and radicular pain (LBRP).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of NM interventions in improving pain, disability, and function in adults with LBRP.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE (Ovid), Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Cochrane databases were searched.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of NM on pain, disability, and/or function in adults with LBRP.

DATA EXTRACTION

Authors reviewed studies and used the PEDro scale and the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to assess methodological quality and risk of bias.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Eight studies were included. Six of the eight studies found the addition of NM to conservative treatment improved all measured outcomes. One study found improvements in some but not all functional measures, and delayed improvements in pain. One study found improvements in measures of neural sensitivity, but not overall pain and disability.

CONCLUSIONS

NM may be an effective tool for short-term improvements in pain, function, and disability associated with LBRP. Additional high quality research is needed.

STUDY REGISTRATION

: This systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020192338).

Chronic pain and local pain in usually painless conditions including neuroma may be due to compressive proximal neural lesion

It has been unexplained why chronic pain does not invariably accompany chronic pain-prone disorders. This question-driven, hypothesis-based article suggests that the reason may be varying occurrence of concomitant peripheral compressive proximal neural lesion (cPNL), e.g., radiculopathy and entrapment plexopathies. Transition of acute to chronic pain may involve development or aggravation of cPNL. Nociceptive hypersensitivity induced and/or maintained by cPNL may be responsible for all types of general chronic pain as well as for pain in isolated tissue conditions that are usually painless, e.g., neuroma, scar, and Dupuytren's fibromatosis. Compressive PNL induces focal neuroinflammation, which can maintain dorsal root ganglion neuron (DRGn) hyperexcitability (i.e., peripheral sensitization) and thus fuel central sensitization (i.e., hyperexcitability of central nociceptive pathways) and a vicious cycle of chronic pain. DRGn hyperexcitability and cPNL may reciprocally maintain each other, because cPNL can result from reflexive myospasm-induced myofascial tension, muscle weakness, and consequent muscle imbalance- and/or pain-provoked compensatory overuse. Because of pain and motor fiber damage, cPNL can worsen the causative musculoskeletal dysfunction, which further accounts for the reciprocity between the latter two factors. Sensitization increases nerve vulnerability and thus catalyzes this cycle. Because of these mechanisms and relatively greater number of neurons involved, cPNL is more likely to maintain DRGn hyperexcitability in comparison to distal neural and non-neural lesions. Compressive PNL is associated with restricted neural mobility. Intermittent (dynamic) nature of cPNL may be essential in chronic pain, because healed (i.e., fibrotic) lesions are physiologically silent and, consequently, cannot provide nociceptive input. Not all patients may be equally susceptible to develop cPNL, because occurrence of cPNL may vary as vary patients' predisposition to musculoskeletal impairment. Sensitization is accompanied by pressure pain threshold decrease and consequent mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, which can cause unusual local pain via natural pressure exerted by space occupying lesions or by their examination. Worsening of local pain is similarly explainable. Neuroma pain may be due to cPNL-induced axonal mechanical sensitivity and hypersensitivity of the nociceptive nervi nervorum of the nerve trunk and its stump. Intermittence and symptomatic complexity of cPNL may be the cause of frequent misdiagnosis of chronic pain.

Lack of Rigour in the Review. Comment on Kuligowski et al. Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6176

I read with interest the article by Kuligowski et al., 2021 published in the Journal [...].

The Effect of Neurodynamic Techniques on the Dispersion of Intraneural Edema: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

There is evidence for the positive effects of neurodynamic techniques in some peripheral entrapment neuropathies, but the rationale for these effects has not been validated. We aimed to estimate the direct effect of neurodynamic techniques on the dispersion of artificially induced intraneural edema measured by dye spread in cadavers.

METHODS

We systematically searched the MEDLINE, WOS, Scopus, and the Cochrane databases from inception to February 2020 for experimental studies addressing the efficacy of neurodynamic techniques on the dispersion of artificially induced intraneural edema. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to compute pooled estimates of the mean differences (MDs) and its respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the type of neurodynamic technique. In addition, a 95% prediction interval was calculated to reflect the variation in true treatment effects in different settings, including the effect to be expected in future patients.

RESULTS

Pooled results showed a significant increase in fluid dispersion (MD = 2.57 mm; 95%CI: 1.13 to 4.01). Subgroup analysis showed increased dye spread in the tensioning techniques group (MD = 2.22 mm; 95%CI: 0.86 to 3.57).

CONCLUSION

Neurodynamic techniques improved the intraneural edema dispersion and should be considered for the management of peripheral compression neuropathies. Furthermore, tensioning techniques appear to be effective in helping to disperse intraneural edema.

Effect of Physiotherapeutic Interventions on Biomarkers of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Literature

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions on biomarkers of neuropathic pain in preclinical models of peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). The search was performed in Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane, Cinhal, Psycinfo, Scopus, Medline, and Science Direct. Studies evaluating any type of physiotherapy intervention for PNP (systemic or traumatic) were included. Eighty-one articles were included in this review. The most common PNP model was chronic constriction injury, and the most frequently studied biomarkers were related to neuro-immune processes. Exercise therapy and Electro-acupuncture were the 2 most frequently studied physiotherapy interventions while acupuncture and joint mobilization were less frequently examined. Most physiotherapeutic interventions modulated the expression of biomarkers related to neuropathic pain. Whereas the results seem promising; they have to be considered with caution due to the high risk of bias of included studies and high heterogeneity of the type and anatomical localization of biomarkers reported. The review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019142878). PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the current evidence about physiotherapeutic interventions on biomarkers of neuropathic pain in preclinical models of peripheral neuropathic pain. Existing findings are reviewed, and relevant data are provided on the effectiveness of each physiotherapeutic modality, as well as its certainty of evidence and clinical applicability.

Manual Therapy Effect in Placebo-Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Background: Evaluate whether the design of placebo control groups could produce different interpretations of the efficacy of manual therapy techniques.

METHODS

Nine databases were searched (EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, WEB of SCIENCE, COCHRANE, and PEDro). Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials that used manual therapy as a sham treatment on subjects suffering from pain were included. Data were summarized qualitatively, and meta-analyses were conducted with R.

RESULTS

53 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and 48 were included in the quantitative analyses. Manipulation techniques did not show higher effectiveness when compared with all types of sham groups that were analyzed (SMD 0.28; 95%CI [-0.24; 0.80]) (SMD 0.28; 95%CI [-0.08; 0.64]) (SMD 0.42; 95%CI [0.16; 0.67]) (SMD 0.82; 95%CI [-0.57; 2.21]), raising doubts on their therapeutic effect. Factors such as expectations of treatment were not consistently evaluated, and analysis could help clarify the effect of different sham groups. As for soft tissue techniques, the results are stronger in favor of these techniques when compared to sham control groups (SMD 0.40; 95%CI [0.19, 0.61]). Regarding mobilization techniques and neural gliding techniques, not enough studies were found for conclusions to be made.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature presents a lack of a unified placebo control group design for each technique and an absence of assessment of expectations. These two issues might account for the unclear results obtained in the analysis.

Effects of Neural Mobilization on Sensory Dysfunction and Peripheral Nerve Degeneration in Rats With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of neural mobilization (NM) in the management of sensory dysfunction and nerve degeneration related to experimental painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).

METHODS

This is a pre-clinical animal study performed in the streptozocin-induced diabetic rat model. Three groups were included: a treatment group of rats with PDN receiving NM under anesthesia (PDN-NM, n = 10), a sham treatment group of rats with PDN that received only anesthesia (PDN-Sham, n = 9), and a vehicle control group with nondiabetic animals (Vehicle, n = 10). Rats in the PDN-NM and PDN-Sham groups received 1 treatment session on days 10, 12, and 14 after streptozocin injection, with a 48-hour rest period between sessions. Behavioral tests were performed using von Frey and Plantar tests. Evaluation for peripheral nerve degeneration was performed through measuring protein gene product 9.5-positive intra-epidermal nerve fiber density in hind-paw skin biopsies. All measurements were performed by a blinded investigator.

RESULTS

The behavioral tests showed that a single NM session could reduce hyperalgesia, which was maintained for 48 hours. The second treatment session further improved this treatment effect, and the third session maintained it. These results suggest that it requires multiple treatment sessions to produce and maintain hypoalgesic effects. Skin biopsy analysis showed that the protein gene product 9.5-positive intra-epidermal nerve fiber density was higher on the experimental side of the PDN-NM group compared with the PDN-Sham group, suggesting NM may mitigate the degeneration of peripheral nerves.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that NM may be an effective method to manage experimentally induced PDN, potentially through mitigation of nerve degeneration. Further studies are needed to develop standardized protocols for clinical use.

IMPACT

These findings provide neurophysiological evidence for the use of NM in PDN and can form the basis for the development of physical therapy-based programs in clinics.

Effectiveness of Neurodynamic Interventions in Patients With Stroke: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Stroke is the most common and serious neurological condition, which can lead to death, limited functionality, and reduced quality of life. Studies with conflicting results and various methodological limitations have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of neurodynamic interventions for patients with stroke.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the pooled effectiveness of different neurodynamic interventions on patients with stroke.

Methods

The PubMed, PEDro, and Google Scholar databases will be searched for studies published with full text in the English language from inception to date. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of different neurodynamic techniques on patients with stroke will be included. The primary outcome measures will include pain, disability/function, and quality of life. Secondary outcome measures will include physical performance measures such as balance, range of motion, muscle strength, and specific diagnostic and neurodynamic test outcomes. The screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment will be performed by two independent reviewers. The PEDro scale will be used to systematically appraise the methodological quality. Review Manager V.5.4 software will be used for statistical analysis. Weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% CIs and P values will be used to calculate the treatment effect for each outcome variable.

Results

Search terms and search databases have been identified. The data extraction sheet has also been developed. This study is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Conclusions

This study will provide up-to-date evidence on the effectiveness and use of neurodynamic interventions for patients with stroke in clinical practice.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42022319972; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=319972

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/38956

Neurodynamic Exercises in College Athletes With Musculoskeletal Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

CLINICAL SCENARIO

Pain is a common complaint following an orthopedic injury; however, the exact cause of nociception can be complex. Multiple tissues can generate a patient's complaint of pain, such as the skin, muscle, ligaments, tendon, nerves, and bones. Regarding the somatosensory system, inflammation around the nerve can create pain and alter movement coordination; this information has resulted in increased awareness of neurodynamic assessments and exercises. Neurodynamic assessments and exercises provide a unique paradigm to effectively assess and treat neural tissue, which may not commonly be considered within the traditional orthopedic examination.

CLINICAL QUESTION

In college athletes with musculoskeletal pain and activity impairments, does the use of neurodynamic exercises improve pain or function?

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS

Of the 5 studies, all consisted of chronic injuries with 3 involving upper-extremity pathologies and 2 focusing on lower-extremity pathologies. All 5 studies noted short- and long-term improvement following the incorporation of neurodynamic sliders or tensioners into the treatment plan. Four of the studies had follow-up periods greater than 30 days with sustained improvement on patient outcomes. Only 2 studies described a progression of neurodynamic exercises through sliders and tensioners. Three studies utilized a set/repetition format for exercise prescription, whereas a fourth used a time-based format, and a fifth article utilized both. Finally, 4 studies utilized neurodynamic assessments to identify whether there was a neural component to the patient's presentation (eg, peripheral nerve mechanosensitivity).

CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE

In individuals with musculoskeletal impairments, evidence exists to support the use of neurodynamic exercises, such as sliders and tensioners, to improve pain and pain-related disability when neural sensitivity exists.

STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION

Grade C evidence exists to support the use of neurodynamic exercises in college athletes with a musculoskeletal impairment.

[Physiotherapy and sports therapeutic interventions for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome : A systematic review]

BACKGROUND

The treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) usually involves surgical decompression of the nerve or splinting and additional medication. Physiotherapy and sports therapy could be non-invasive and alternative treatment approaches with a simultaneous low risk of side effects.

OBJECTIVE

The review systematically summarizes the current studies on the effectiveness of physiotherapy and sports therapeutic interventions for treatment of CTS and focuses on the reduction of symptoms and, as a secondary outcome, improvement of hand function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The systematic review includes randomized controlled trials reporting on physiotherapy or sports therapy interventions published prior to February 2021 in the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science. Following the guidelines of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane Collaboration, a systematic search of the literature, data extraction and evaluation of the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool were conducted by two independent researchers.

RESULTS

Out of 461 identified studies 26 were included in the qualitative analysis. The risk of bias in the individual studies was graded as moderate to low. Potential bias might arise due to inadequate blinding of patients and study personnel in some cases as well as due to selective reporting of study results and procedures. Manual therapy proved to be faster and equally effective in reducing pain and improving function in the long term compared to surgery. Mobilization techniques, massage techniques, kinesiotaping and yoga as therapeutic interventions also showed positive effects on symptoms.

CONCLUSION

For the management of mild to moderate CTS, physiotherapy and sports therapeutic interventions are characterized primarily by success after as little as 2 weeks of treatment as well as comparable success to surgery and 3 months of postoperative treatment. In addition, patients are not exposed to surgical risks. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the number 42017073839.

Effects of Neural Mobilization on Pain Intensity, Disability, and Mechanosensitivity: An Umbrella Review With Meta-Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the current evidence for the effects of neural mobilization (NM) treatments.

METHODS

Three umbrella reviews with meta-meta-analyses were conducted to determine the effects of NM on pain intensity and disability in people with musculoskeletal disorders and on mechanosensitivity in participants who were asymptomatic. The study used the grading criteria proposed by the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee to assess the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

One meta-meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate effect on pain intensity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.75, 95% CI = -1.12 to -0.38) but with evidence of heterogeneity (Q = 14.13; I2 = 65%). The study found a significantly large effect of NM on disability (SMD = -1.22, 95% CI = -2.19 to -0.26), again with evidence of heterogeneity (Q = 31.57; I2 = 87%). The third meta-meta-analysis showed a statistically significant moderate effect of NM on mechanosensitivity (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.35 to 1.57), with no evidence of heterogeneity (Q = 2.73; I2 = 63%). For all examined outcomes, the quality of evidence was limited.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results indicated that although NM treatment had a moderate to large beneficial clinical effect on pain intensity and disability in people with musculoskeletal disorders and on mechanosensitivity in individuals who were asymptomatic, the quality of evidence was limited.

IMPACT

Neural mobilization treatments showed positive results on the pain intensity and disability in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Neural mobilization could be integrated into the physical therapy management, although more research is needed.

Comparative effects of tensioning and sliding neural mobilization on peripheral and autonomic nervous system function: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Although different types of neural mobilization (NM) exercises induce different amounts of longitudinal nerve excursion and strain, the question whether the increased longitudinal stress and nerve excursion from sliding or tensioning intervention may subtly affect the neural functions has not been answered yet.

Objective

To compare the effects of tensioning NM versus sliding NM of the median nerve on peripheral and autonomic nervous system function.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, 90 participants were randomly assigned to tensioning NM, sliding NM, or sham NM. The neurophysiological outcome measures included peak-to-peak amplitude of the dermatomal somatosensory evoked potential (DSSEP) for dermatomes C6, C7, C8, and T1. Secondary outcome measures included amplitude and latency of skin sympathetic response. All outcome measures were assessed pretreatment, immediately after the two weeks of treatment and one week after the last session of the treatment.

Results

A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between the three groups. The post hoc analysis indicated that tensioning NM significantly decreased the dermatomal amplitude for C6, C7, C8, and T1 ( p < 0 . 005 ). Sympathetic skin responses in the gliding NM group showed lower amplitudes and prolonged latencies post-treatment when compared to tensioning NM group ( p < 0 . 05 ). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in the DSSEPs and skin sympathetic responses for participants in the sham treatment group ( p > 0 . 05 ).

Conclusions

A tensioning NM on the median nerve had a possible adverse effect on the neurophysiology variables of the nerves involved in the neural mobilization. Thus, tensioning NM with the current parameters that place increased stress and strain on the peripheral nervous system should be avoided.

Reliability of the straight leg raise test for suspected lumbar radicular pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The passive straight leg raise (SLR) and crossed SLR are recommended tests for lumbar radicular pain. There are no recent reviews of test reliability.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize SLR and crossed SLR reliability in patients with suspected lumbar radicular pain.

DESIGN

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

METHOD

MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched for studies published before April 2021 that reported SLR or crossed SLR reliability in patients with low back-related leg pain. Supplemental analyses also included patients with low back pain only. Study selection, risk of bias assessment (QAREL), and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Kappa, intraclass correlation coefficients, and smallest detectable difference (SDD₉₅) quantified reliability. Meta-analysis was performed when appropriate. Confidence in the evidence was determined by applying GRADE principles.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

Fifteen studies met selection criteria. One-hundred-eighty-nine participants had low back-related leg pain. Four-hundred-thirty-nine were included in supplemental analyses. Meta-analyses showed at least fair inter-rater reliability when a positive SLR required provocation of lower extremity symptoms or pain. SLR reliability was at least moderate when testing included structural differentiation (e.g., ankle dorsiflexion). A low prevalence of positive crossed SLR tests led to wide-ranging reliability estimates. Confidence in the evidence for identifying a positive SLR or crossed SLR was moderate to very low. SDD₉₅ values for different raters measuring SLR range of motion ranged from 13 to 20°.

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability data support testing SLR with structural differentiation manoeuvres. Crossed SLR reliability data are inconclusive. Measurement error likely prohibits using SLR range of motion for clinical decision-making.

Timing of Evidence-Based Nonsurgical Interventions as Part of Multimodal Treatment Guidelines for the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Delphi Study

OBJECTIVE

Conservative management of cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a first treatment option because the risk-benefit ratio for surgery is less favorable. Systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines reporting on the effectiveness of nonsurgical management have not considered the timing of management. The aim of this study was to establish consensus on effective nonsurgical treatment modalities at different stages (ie, acute, subacute, or chronic) of CR using the Delphi method approach.

METHODS

Through an iterative multistage process, experts within the field rated their agreement with a list of proposed treatment modalities according to the stage of CR and could suggest missing treatment modalities. Agreement was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to measure agreement (median, interquartile ranges, and percentage of agreement). Consensus criteria were defined a priori for each round. Consensus for Round 3 was based on ≥2 of the following: a median Likert scale value of ≥4, interquartile range value of ≤1, and/or a percentage of agreement ≥70%.

RESULTS

Data analysis produced a consensus list of effective treatment modalities in different stages of recovery.

CONCLUSION

According to experts, the focus of multimodal management in the acute stage should consist of patient education and spinal manipulative therapy, specific (foraminal opening) exercises, and sustained pain-relieving positions. In the subacute stage, increasing individualized physical activity including supervised motor control, specific exercises, and/or neurodynamic mobilization could be added. In the chronic stage, focus should shift to include general aerobic exercise as well as focused strength training. Postural education and vocational ergonomic assessment should also be considered.

IMPACT

Multimodal conservative management of individuals with CR should take the stage of the condition into consideration. The focus of therapeutic interventions should shift from passive pain-relieving intervention in the acute stage to increasingly more individualized physical activity and self-management in the chronic stage.

Investigating the effects of neuromobilization in lateral epicondylitis

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) causes pain and loss of function in the affected limb. Different exercises have been used for the treatment of LE. In recent years, the technique of neuromobilization has been frequently used to treat tendinopathy. However, there is no study that demonstrates the effects of neuromobilization techniques on patients with LE.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of neuromobilization techniques on pain, grip strength, and functional status in LE patients and to compare them with conservative rehabilitation treatment.

METHODS

A total of 40 patients (26 females and 14 males; age: 42.80 ± 8.91 years) with a history of LE participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the neuromobilization group and the control group. The neuromobilization group completed a 6-week conservative rehabilitation and radial nerve mobilization program, whereas the control group received conservative rehabilitation therapy only. Both groups underwent a 7-day weekly conservative home rehabilitation program. Pain severity, grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and upper extremity functional level were assessed before treatment, at the third week after treatment, and at the sixth week after treatment.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in all pain scores in favor of the neuromobilization group at week 6 after treatment (at rest: P = .001, effect size (ES) = 0.84; at night: P = .001, ES = 0.91 and during activity: P = .004, ES = 1.06). No significant differences were found for grip strength, pinch strength, joint motions, and functional level in the neuromobilization group, although trends toward better improvement were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Radial nerve mobilization techniques are more effective on pain than conservative rehabilitation therapy in LE patients, and this effect continues after treatment.

Quantifying the Elasticity Properties of the Median Nerve during the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1

Background

The upper limb neurodynamic test 1 (ULNT1) consists of a series of movements that are thought to detect an increase in neuromechanical sensitivity. In vivo, no trail was made to quantify the association between the nerve elasticity and different limb postures during ULNT1.

Objectives

(1) To investigate the relationship between nerve elasticity and limb postures during ULNT1 and (2) to investigate the intra- and interoperator reliabilities of shear wave elastography (SWE) in quantifying the elasticity of median nerve.

Methods

Twenty healthy subjects (mean age: 19.9 ± 1.4 years old) participated in this study. The median nerve was imaged during elbow extension in the following postures: (1) with neutral posture, (2) with wrist extension (WE), (3) with contralateral cervical flexion (CCF), and (4) with both WE and CCF. The intra- and interoperator reliabilities measured by two operators at NP and CCF+WE and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated.

Results

The intraoperator (ICC = 0.72–0.75) and interoperator (ICC = 0.89–0.94) reliabilities for measuring the elasticity of the median nerve ranged from good to excellent. The mean shear modulus of the median nerve increased by 53.68% from NP to WE+CCF.

Conclusion

SWE is a reliable tool to quantify the elasticity of the median nerve. There was acute modulation in the elasticity of the median nerve during the ULNT1 when healthy participants reported substantial discomfort. Further studies need to focus on the elasticity properties of the median nerve in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain.

Effectiveness of neural mobilization on pain intensity, disability, and physical performance in adults with musculoskeletal pain-A protocol for a systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials and planned meta-analysis

Recent studies show that musculoskeletal conditions contribute significantly to years lived with disability considering the entire global population. Pain and functional disability are the main problems that people with these conditions suffer. Neural mobilization has been shown to be an effective intervention in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain within individual trials, also contributing to improved functionality. Some systematic reviews have been carried out during the last years with the aim of synthesizing the scientific evidence on the use of neural mobilization techniques in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, they varied a lot in the methodological approaches and, consequently, in the findings and conclusions. Thus, this document is a planned protocol of a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis that we intend to carry out to review the scientific literature regarding up-to-date evidence on the use of neural mobilization in the management of people suffering from musculoskeletal pain disorders. The study designs that we will consider as inclusion criteria will be randomized and quasi-randomized clinical trials. The target population will be adults and older adults with musculoskeletal pain. Any controlled trial using any neural mobilization technique as an intervention in one of the trial groups will be included. The main outcomes of interest will be pain, functional status, and physical performance tests (muscle strength, flexibility, and balance). There will be no restrictions on follow-up time or type of setting. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed by the RoB 2 tool and the certainty of the evidence will be evaluated using the comprehensive Assessment, Development and Assessment of Assessment Recommendation (GRADE) approach. We intend to present the findings through narrative descriptions and, if possible, through meta-analytic statistics. Trial registration: PROSPERO registration number. CRD42021288387.

Neurodynamic Functions and Their Correlations with Postural Parameters in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Knowledge about neurodynamic functions of the nervous system (NS) in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is limited. This study aimed to assess the mechanosensitivity of the NS structures (MNS) in adolescents with IS. The study included 69 adolescents with IS and 57 healthy peers aged 10–15 years. The Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1), straight leg raise (SLR) test, and slump test (SLUMP) were used to assess MNS. The spinal curvatures in the sagittal plane and selected ranges of motion were measured. The data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman’s rank correlation. Increased MNS assessed by ULNT1 and SLUMP tests was observed in participants with IS. Values of the neurodynamic tests correlated significantly with the sagittal profile of the spine and the mobility of the spine and lower limbs in both groups. In conclusion, increased MNS occurs in adolescents with IS. Therefore, the examination of adolescents with IS should include an assessment of MNS with the neurodynamic tests. Future studies should investigate this issue to better understand the mechanisms that coexist with IS.

Neural management plus advice to stay active on clinical measures and sciatic neurodynamic for patients with chronic sciatica: Study protocol for a controlled randomised clinical trial

Advice to stay active is the primary management strategy for sciatica. Other conservative treatments such as neural management techniques may also contribute to sciatica recovery, but currently, the effects have not been robustly assessed. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of adding neural management to advice to stay active versus advice to stay active alone in improving pain intensity and functional limitation. Secondarily, to compare the effects of the experimental intervention in the sciatic neurodynamic, pain modulation, and psychosocial factors. A parallel-group, controlled, examiner-blinded superiority clinical trial randomised at a 1:1 allocation will be conducted in 210 participants with chronic sciatica. Patients will be recruited from outpatient physiotherapy clinics and community advertisements. The experimental group will receive neural mobilisation techniques and soft tissue mobilisation techniques for 30 minutes per session, 10 weekly sessions, plus advice to stay active on their activities of daily living, information on physical activity, imaging tests, and sciatica for 5 biweekly sessions lasting 25-30 minutes. The control group will receive advice to stay active only. The re-evaluation will be performed out after 5 weeks, 10 weeks, and 26 weeks after randomisation and primary endpoints will be pain intensity and functional limitation at 10 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include neuropathic symptoms, sciatic neurodynamic, pain modulation, and psychosocial factors. Adverse events and patient satisfaction will be assessed. Ethical approval has been granted from an Institutional Human Research Ethics Committee. Trial registration: Trial was prospectively registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (number: RBR-3db643c).

An Insight into Potential Pharmacotherapeutic Agents for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes is the 4th most common disease affecting the world's population. It is accompanied by many complications that deteriorate the quality of life. Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is one of the debilitating consequences of diabetes that effects one-third of diabetic patients. Unfortunately, there is no internationally recommended drug that directly hinders the pathological mechanisms that result in painful diabetic neuropathy. Clinical studies have shown that anticonvulsant and antidepressant therapies have proven fruitful in management of pain associated with PDN. Currently, the FDA approved medications for painful diabetic neuropathies include duloxetine, pregabalin, tapentadol extended release, and capsaicin (for foot PDN only). The FDA has also approved the use of spinal cord stimulation system for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy pain. The drugs recommended by other regulatory bodies include gabapentin, amitriptyline, dextromethorphan, tramadol, venlafaxine, sodium valproate, and 5 % lidocaine patch. These drugs are only partially effective and have adverse effects associated with their use. Treating painful symptoms in diabetic patient can be frustrating not only for the patients but also for health care workers, so additional clinical trials for novel and conventional treatments are required to devise more effective treatment for PDN with minimal side effects. This review gives an insight on the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of PDN and the potential pharmacotherapeutic agents. This will be followed by an overview on the FDA-approved drugs for PDN and commercially available topical analgesic and their effects on painful diabetic neuropathies.

Effect of Neural Mobilization Exercises in Patients With Low Back-Related Leg Pain With Peripheral Nerve Sensitization: A Prospective, Controlled Trial

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of slider and tensioner exercises on pain and range of motion (ROM) of straight leg raise (SLR) and slump tests in patients with low back-related leg pain with peripheral nerve sensitization.

Methods

In this prospective, controlled trial, 51 patients with low back-related leg pain with peripheral nerve sensitization were divided into 3 treatment groups: slider (slider neural mobilization exercise + transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation [TENS]), tensioner (tensioner neural mobilization exercise + TENS), and control (only TENS). Each patient received 6 sessions over 2 weeks. The following outcomes were measured at baseline and after the first, third, and sixth sessions: visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and ROM of SLR and slump tests were performed for the symptomatic side.

Results

Compared with controls, patients receiving the slider and tensioner exercises showed a greater decrease in pain at the third and sixth sessions (mean difference: ≥1.54 cm; 95% CI, 0.1-3.9). There was a significant difference in the ROM of the SLR test between the slider and controls at only the sixth session (mean difference: 16.7°; 95% CI, -29.2 to -4.3). Patients in the slider and tensioner groups demonstrated greater improvements in the ROM of slump test at all sessions compared with controls (mean difference: ≥12.5°; 95% CI, -32.1 to -6.4). There were no significant differences between the slider and tensioner groups in any outcome at any session.

Conclusion

Patients in both slider and tensioner neural mobilization exercise groups demonstrated improvements in pain and ROM in patients with low back-related leg pain with peripheral nerve sensitization compared to those in the control group.

Short-term Effects of Neurodynamic Techniques for Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

We aimed (1) to estimate the short-term effect (postintervention period) of neurodynamic techniques on pain, symptom severity, functional status, electrophysiological status, grip strength, and pinch strength in people with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); and (2) to estimate the effect of neurodynamic techniques compared to other physical therapy modalities and surgical interventions.

DESIGN

Intervention systematic review with meta-analysis.

LITERATURE SEARCH

We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Scopus databases from their inception to September 2020.

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials reporting the effect of neurodynamic techniques on pain, symptom severity, function, distal motor latency, grip strength, and pinch strength in people with CTS.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Using the DerSimonian-Laird method, we estimated pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to judge the certainty of the evidence of each pairwise comparison.

RESULTS

There were 22 trials included (n = 1203 people with CTS; mean age, 26.0 to 57.9 years; mean symptom duration, 4.1 to 62.8 months). There was very low-certainty evidence of neurodynamic techniques improving pain (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI: -0.95, -0.13) and function (SMD, -0.35; 95% CI: -0.61, -0.09). There was no significant effect on symptom severity (very low certainty), distal motor latency (very low certainty), and grip and pinch strength (low certainty).

CONCLUSION

Neurodynamic techniques were effective for improving pain and function in people with CTS, albeit with very low-certainty evidence. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(12):566-580. Epub 16 Nov 2021.doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10533.