Effect of Passive Straight Leg Raise Sciatic Nerve Mobilization on Low Back Pain of Neurogenic Origin

Neural mobilization has emerged as a significant adjunct to assessment and treatment of neurogenic pain syndromes. However, clinical trials utilizing Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) neural mobilization for low back pain treatment are lacking. The present study aimed to study and compare the effectiveness of neural mobilization and conventional therapy in patients with neurogenic low back pain.

A sample of 27 patients, aged 18–45 years, with sub-acute neurogenic LBP were randomized into Experimental (n=12) and Conventional group (n=15) respectively. The experimental group underwent PSLR neural mobilization while the conventional group therapy included Patient Education in form of advice and exercise for treatment duration of 10 sessions in 2 weeks. The outcome variables assessed include: pain (VAS), hip flexion ROM (inclinometer), symptom distribution (Werneke's Overlay Template) and disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Index).

Within group analysis using Wilcoxin Signed Ranks test revealed significant improvement (pd”0.05) in both groups for all variables. Between groups comparison was done using Mann Whitney U-Test. The results demonstrated that statistically significant improvement occurred in both groups; however the improvement was greater in experimental group than the conventional group for all the studied variables.

PSLR neural mobilization is more effective than conventional therapy for improving pain and disability in patients with neurogenic pain syndrome. However the benefits of conventional therapy cannot be neglected. Therefore both these treatment modalities should be integrated in the management of patients with neurogenic low back pain syndrome.