Effectiveness of Nerve Mobilization in the Management of Sciatica

Study Objective

To find out whether Nerve mobilization techniques enhance patient outcomes in the management of sciatica when added to the standard care.

Design

Pre test Post test experimental design.

Setting

Out patient physical therapy department, G.B.Pant Hospital, New Delhi

Subjects

30 patients, both male and female with a primary diagnosis of sciatica

Measurement

After measuring the baseline pain (NPRS) and functional status (SF-12) scores one group was given conventional physical therapy while the other group was given nerve Mobilization with conventional physical therapy alone. At discharge the patients' scores in both the groups was re assessed. Both the groups received treatment 3 days a week for a total period of 2 weeks.

Results

Non parametric tests were used to compare the mean statically difference between the groups. Within group analysis was done using Wilcoxon signed ranks test and between group analyses was done using Mann Whitney U Test. The results showed that there was significant difference in pain and functional status scores as indicated by the significance obtained in their respective p values.

Conclusion

The study results show that neural mobilization techniques when added to standard care enhance patient outcomes in sciatica in comparison to conventional physical therapy alone.