Effectiveness of Neural Mobilization in the Treatment of a Patient with Lower Extremity Neurogenic Pain: A Single-Case Design

Abstract

AbstractAbstractIt is postulated that neural tissue mechanosensitivity contributes to symptoms associated with peripheral neurogenic pain disorders. However, there is a paucity of literature regarding the most effective clinical practices for managing pain of peripheral neurogenic origin. As clinical use of neural mobilization continues to flourish in the management of these pain syndromes, it is imperative to document outcomes associated with these techniques. The purpose of this single-case A1-B1-A2-B2 design was to investigate the effectiveness of neural mobilization in the management of a 29-year-old female patient with symptoms suggestive of peripheral neurogenic involvement. The intervention phases (B1 and B2) consisted of neural mobilizations specifically directed at the sciatic continuum. Outcome measures (degrees of hip flexion during the straight-leg-raise and pain) demonstrated both visual improvement and statistically significant improvements following implementation of the neural mobilization techniques. This single-case design provides a measure of scientific support for the use of neural mobilizations with patients presenting with lower extremity neurogenic pain disorders. However, generalizability is poor, and further methodologically sound clinical trials are necessary to investigate the effectiveness of neural mobilization in a larger patient population.Keywords: PERIPHERAL NEUROGENIC PAINNEURAL MOBILIZATIONNEURODYNAMICSSINGLE-SUBJECT DESIGN