Comparison of different treatment positions of nerve slider technique for patients with low back pain: a randomized control trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) accompanied by sciatica is a widespread musculoskeletal issue with multifactorial etiology, impacting individuals across various demographics. Conservative treatments, notably physiotherapy, are key in managing LBP with sciatica, with neural mobilization techniques emerging as beneficial adjuncts.

Aim: This research aims to assess the effectiveness of utilizing the sciatic slider technique (SST) in both supine and slump positions, compared to conventional physiotherapy alone, in alleviating pain severity, improving lumbar flexibility, lumbar lordosis, lower limb muscle strength, and functional ability in patients with LBP associated with sciatica.

Design: randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Department of Physiotherapy at Alia Hospital.

Population: Sixty participants with LBP associated with sciatica.

Methods: The participants were randomly allocated into three groups: Group (A) N.=20 received the SST in a slump position alongside conventional physiotherapy, Group (B) N.=20 received the same technique in a supine position with conventional physiotherapy, and Group (C) or (control) N.=20 underwent only conventional physiotherapy. Each group underwent three sessions per week for four weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale), functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index), lumbar flexibility (Modified Schober test), lower limb muscle strength (Hand-held dynamometry), and lumbar lordosis (Flexible ruler).

Results: Analysis revealed significant differences between treatment groups. The slump position exhibited superior effectiveness in reducing pain intensity (P<0.001), and improving disability (P<0.001), with greater improvements in pain scores and disability index percentages. Additionally, slump position therapy led to significantly greater enhancements in range of motion (P<0.001), and hip abductor (P=0.007) when compared to the supine position. However, both techniques showed similar effects on lumbar lordosis angle and various lower limb muscle strength.

Conclusions: The sciatic nerve slider technique, whether applied in the slump or supine position, demonstrated superior outcomes compared to conventional physiotherapy alone in managing LBP with sciatica. Nevertheless, the slump position showed greater efficacy in reducing pain, improving disability, and enhancing certain functional parameters.

Clinical rehabilitation impact: These findings advocate for the inclusion of neural mobilization techniques, particularly in the slump position, in the management of LBP with sciatica.