Neurodynamic mobilization for the management of patients with lumbar disc herniation: A randomized controlled study

BackgroundLow back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide. Due to the limited effectiveness of current treatments, this study evaluated the efficacy of neurodynamic mobilization technique on pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), neurodynamics, functional status, and disability.MethodsThirty-seven patients were randomized to control or mobilization group. The control group received conventional therapy, while the mobilization group received neurodynamic mobilization plus electro/thermal therapy for 4 weeks. Pain at rest and activity was recorded with a Visual Analog Scale. Active lumbar flexion, extension, and lateral flexion were measured with a universal goniometer. Neurodynamic mobility was evaluated using neurodynamic tests. Functional status was assessed with the 30-s chair stand test, and disability was evaluated with the Bournemouth Questionnaire. 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine within- and between-group differences.ResultsIntra-group comparisons showed that the mobilization group improved in all parameters, while the control group improved in pain, ROM, and disability (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparisons indicated that the mobilization group was better than the control group in pain, slump test, and disability scores (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between groups for ROM or functional status (p > 0.05).ConclusionsNeuromobilization provides symptomatic improvement in pain and disability but does not demonstrate superiority over conventional treatment in ROM and functional status. These results suggest that the technique mainly improves subjective and symptomatic outcomes rather than objective mobility and functional capacity. Findings should be interpreted with caution in light of the study limitations.