EFFICACY OF NERVE FLOSSING TECHNIQUE ON IMPROVING SCIATIC NERVE FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SCIATICA - A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

Pallipamula, Kranthi; Singaravelan, R. M.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nerve flossing technique (NFT) in the relief of pain and sensory symptoms, restoration of spinal mobility and minimizing functional disability. Design Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting Department of Neurophyisotherapy, Pravara Rural Hospital (Tertiary Hospital), Loni, Tal- Rahata, Dist- Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India- 413736. Participants Thirty-nine participants between 20- 55 years of age having clinical diagnosis of sub acute sciatica due to prolapsed and extruded intervertebral disc. Interventions. Study group received the nerve flossing technique along with conventional physiotherapy and Control group received only conventional physiotherapy. In NFT technique, participant performs knee extension with neck extension with hold of 5 seconds and then flexes both the knee and neck simultaneously and holds it for five seconds. Total five sets of the above were given for six consecutive days. Main outcome measurements The outcome was assessed in terms of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Sciatica Bothersomeness Index, Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR), active lumbar flexion range and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) score. Results Study group had statistically significant improvement in VAS score (p<0.01), Sciatica Bothersomeness Index score (p<0.01), PSLR (p<0.01), active lumbar flexion range (p<0.01), and in MODQ score (p<0.01) compared to control group after 6 days of treatment. Conclusion Nerve flossing technique can be utilized with other modalities in the treatment of sub-acute sciatic patients due to prolapsed and extruded disc.

INDIA; KNEE physiology; SCIATICA treatment; NECK physiology; HIP joint physiology; SPINE physiology; LUMBAR vertebrae physiology; PHYSICAL therapy; EXERCISE therapy; CLINICAL trials; RANGE of motion of joints; HEALTH outcome assessment; PHYSICAL diagnosis; STATISTICAL sampling; SENSES; T-test (Statistics); STATISTICAL significance; PAIN measurement; BODY mass index; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; VISUAL analog scale; TREATMENT effectiveness; PRE-tests & post-tests; DATA analysis software; FUNCTIONAL assessment; DESCRIPTIVE statistics

Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy / Revista Romana de Kinetoterapie, 2012, Vol 18, Issue 30, p13

2069-2110

Academic Journal