Background and purpose: Different neurodynamic techniques are commonly used to reduce radicular pain in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. However few studies compared the effect of two different neurodynamic techniques in this population. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect of slider technique and nerve flossing technique on pain and lower quadrant flexibility in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy.
Method: forty subjects more than 25 years of age diagnosed with lumbosacral radiculopathy were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received Slider technique and Group B received Neural Flossing Technique (NFT). Both the group received 5 sets of 15 repetitions with 2 min rest in between the sets. Outcome measures: Numerical Pain rating Scale (NPRS) and Knee extension range of motion in slump position were measured before and immediately after intervention.
Result: Paired t test was applied for intra-group comparison and post intervention measures showed that there was significant difference in NPRS and knee extension ROM compared to pre intervention measures in both the groups. Independent t test was applied for inter-group comparison and result showed that both the groups showed no statistical significant difference in NPRS and knee extension ROM.
Conclusion: This study concludes that both the techniques used in the present study i.e. Slider neurodynamic and Nerve flossing technique are equally effective for improving pain and increasing knee extension ROM immediately.
