Effectiveness of neural mobilization versus static Stretching for the treatment of radiating low back pain patients.

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the effectiveness of Neural Mobilization and Static Stretching for the treatment of radiating low back pain patients and also to determine which treatment is superior to the other. Experimental design of quantitative research which was Clinical Trial design was chosen because the experimental study was the best way to find out the effectiveness of the study. Objectives: To explore socio-demographic (age, gender, educational status, occupation) characteristics of patients with radiating low back pain. To compare the rating of pain intensity before and after Neural Mobilization with conventional physiotherapy in one group and Static Stretching with conventional physiotherapy in another group. To compare the functional disability before and after Neural Mobilization with conventional physiotherapy in one group and Static Stretching with conventional physiotherapy in another group. Methodology: This study was conducted by Clinical Trail study design in which a total 42 participants were selected randomly included 21 in Group A and 21 in Group B. Data was collected by using Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire to evaluate disability level and pain measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale questionnaire. SPSS was used for data analysis which was displayed through table, pie chart, bar chart and parametric test- paired t-test and unpaired or unrelated t-test & Non-parametric test – Wilcoxon Matched Pair Signed-Rank test & Mann Whitney U test. Results: In this study, the result shows a significant improvement in more reduction of pain in Group A by using Neural Mobilization with conventional physiotherapy & more reduction of disability in Group B by using Static Stretching with conventional physiotherapy. Conclusion: The result of this study suggest that both Neural Mobilization with conventional physiotherapy and Static Stretching with conventional physiotherapy was effective for radiating low back pain patients but Neural Mobilization was more effective than Static Stretching in reducing pain but Static Stretching was more effective in reducing disability than Neural Mobilization. Key words: Radiating low back pain, Neural Mobilization, Static Stretching, Conventional Physiotherapy, Pain and Disability