Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement Versus Neurodynamic Mobilization in Lumbar Radiculopathy

April 6, 2026 updated by: Deraya University

Effectiveness of Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement Versus Neurodynamic Mobilization in Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Low back pain with lumbar radiculopathy is a common condition that significantly affects functional ability and quality of life. Manual therapy is widely used as a first-line treatment to reduce pain and improve mobility.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) and neurodynamic mobilization in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. A total of 20 participants were randomly assigned into two groups. One group received SMWLM, while the other group received neurodynamic mobilization of the sciatic nerve over a treatment period of six weeks.

Outcomes included pain intensity, quality of life, and hip range of motion. The results of this study aim to identify the more effective intervention for improving clinical outcomes in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition characterized by low back pain radiating to the lower limb due to nerve root compression or irritation. It is associated with functional limitations, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life.

Spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM), based on the Mulligan concept, combines sustained accessory joint mobilization with active or passive limb movement. This technique aims to restore normal joint mechanics, improve spinal mobility, and reduce nerve root compression by increasing intervertebral foramen space.

Neurodynamic mobilization focuses on restoring the normal mobility and physiology of the nervous system. It involves controlled movements that mobilize neural tissues and surrounding structures, helping to reduce neural tension and improve circulation.

This randomized controlled trial compares the effectiveness of SMWLM and neurodynamic mobilization in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups and received treatment three times per week for six weeks.

Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and hip range of motion measured by a universal goniometer.

The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence-based guidance for physiotherapists in selecting optimal treatment strategies for lumbar radiculopathy.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

20

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

  • Egypt
    • Menia Governorate
      • Minya, Menia Governorate, Egypt
        • Deraya university, faculty of physical therapy

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

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 25 and 50 years
  • Male and female participants
  • Clinically diagnosed low back pain with lumbar radiculopathy for at least 3 months
  • Symptoms radiating below the knee along the sciatic nerve distribution

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of lumbar spine surgery or laminectomy
  • Spinal fractures, tumors, or inflammatory disorders
  • Acute disc prolapse or lumbar instability
  • Lower limb vascular disease
  • Neurological disorders
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Manual therapy within the last 6 months
  • Hip pathology or hamstring tightness

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: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement Group
Participants in this group received spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) based on the Mulligan concept to improve spinal mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional performance.
Other: Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement
This intervention involves applying sustained accessory spinal mobilization combined with active or passive leg movement to improve joint mechanics, reduce nerve compression, and enhance mobility.
Experimental: Neurodynamic Mobilization Group
Participants in this group received neurodynamic mobilization targeting the sciatic nerve to improve neural mobility and reduce pain associated with lumbar radiculopathy.
Other: Neurodynamic Mobilization
Neurodynamic mobilization techniques were applied to mobilize the sciatic nerve and surrounding tissues to restore neural function, reduce tension, and improve mobility.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain Intensity (Visual Analogue Scale)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates no pain, and 10 indicates the worst possible pain.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Functional Disability (Oswestry Disability Index)
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which evaluates limitations in daily activities due to low back pain.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Hip Range of Motion
Time Frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Hip range of motion was measured using a universal goniometer to assess improvements in joint mobility.
Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Deraya University

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 (Actual)

October 10, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 31, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

January 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 6, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 6, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • DU-FPT-LR-2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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.

Clinical Trials on Low Back Pain

Clinical Trials on Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Singapore

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe