Effects of a Mulligan Mobilisation in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects (Mulligan)

May 13, 2008 updated by: University of Manchester

The Effects of the Mulligan Mobilisation Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects as Measured by the Zebris CMS20 3-D Motion Analysis System

Mulligan's mobilisation techniques are believed to increase the range of movement (ROM) in patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure, and utilising a 3-D motion analysis system for measuring range of motion (ROM).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure. For the interventional component of the study, 49 asymptomatic volunteers participated in it. Subjects were randomly assigned into either a treatment (SNAG) group (n=25), or a placebo (SHAM) group (n=24). The "SNAG" technique was applied on L3 and L4 spinal levels by an experienced manual therapist. SNAGs were performed with active flexion in sitting, 10 times at each level. The placebo-SHAM was similar to the SNAG without however applying the appropriate direction or force. Lumbar ROM was measured by a three dimensional electronic goniometer (Zebris CM20), before and after each technique. For the reliability component, five measurements in two different days (one week apart) were performed in 20 healthy subjects.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

49

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Manchester, United Kingdom, M13 9PT
        • Centre for Rehabilitation Science

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • asymptomatic
  • health individuals

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Low back pain
  • spinal pathology
  • vascular or heart problems
  • subjects taking anticoagulants

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: SNAG
SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.
SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.
Other Names:
  • Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide
  • Mulligan mobilisation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Range of Movement (ROM)
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Evdokia Billis, MSc, University of Manchester

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

January 1, 2005

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2005

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 8, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 13, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

May 15, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

May 15, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 13, 2008

Last Verified

May 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Mulligan

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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