Lumbar RadiculopathyNCT07458399
Effect of Sciatic Nerve Neurodynamic Sliding on Pain, Disability, and Balance in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy
A study testing Selected conventional physical therapy program and Sciatic nerve slider mobilization in people with Lumbar Radiculopathy, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of sciatic nerve slider mobilization on pain intensity. Also, to evaluate the impact of sciatic nerve mobilization on functional disability, and to determine the influence of sciatic nerve slider neurodynamics on functional balance performance. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- What is being tested?
- Selected conventional physical therapy program and Sciatic nerve slider mobilization
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 10 Mar 2026to 30 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Chronic unilateral lumbar painful radiculopathy (duration ranged from 3 to 18 months).
- During the evaluation session, repeated lumbar movements did not improve or worsen lower extremity symptoms.
- Positive straight leg raise (SLR) response. A positive SLR test was defined as the presence of both of these findings: (1) the test reproduced the patient's symptoms and (2) the symptoms decreased with the ankle plantar flexion component of the test.
- Unilateral Pain radiating below the knee, with leg pain equal to or more severe than the accompanying back pain.
- The presence of paresthesia such as pins and needles or numbness in the affected limb, along with neurological deficits-whether motor, sensory, or reflex-that corresponded to the dermatome or myotome of the affected nerve root.
Who cannot join
- Systemic diseases such as autoimmune and metabolic diseases.
- Previous Lumbar Spine surgery.
- Lumbar spine stenosis.
- Spinal deformity.
- Spinal fracture.
- Bilateral lower extremity symptoms.
- Steroid injection or use of anti-inflammatory medications within two to four weeks prior to study commencement.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effect of Sciatic Nerve Neurodynamic Sliding Technique on Pain, Disability, and Balance in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy
This study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of sciatic nerve slider mobilization on pain intensity. Also, to evaluate the impact of sciatic nerve mobilization on functional disability, and to determine the influence of sciatic nerve slider neurodynamics on functional balance performance.
Read the detailed description
Radicular pain in lumbar radiculopathy is a mixture of nociceptive and neuropathic component. Several conservative treatments are available to treat lumbar radiculopathy: moderate evidence (Level B) of effectiveness for the conservative treatment: patient education and self-management, McKenzie method, mobilization and manipulation, exercise therapy, traction (short-term outcomes), neural mobilization, and epidural injections. Two interventions were identified to have weak evidence of effectiveness (Level C): traction for long-term outcomes and dry needling. Three interventions were identified to have conflicting or no evidence (Level D) of effectiveness: electro-diagnostic-based management, laser and ultrasound, and electrotherapy. The efficacy of individual treatment is controversial; a multimodal approach is recommended because it is more effective. However, little high-quality evidence supports the use of conservative treatment.
As well as being amongst the manual therapy techniques recommended to improve patients' pain and disability, neural mobilization (NM) has also been advocated as an analgesic treatment option. NMs are techniques that involve a specific sequence of joint movements to mobilize the involved peripheral nerve in order to enhance nerve gliding and reduce the neural mechanosensitivity.
This study will provide further insight into the efficacy of sciatic nerve neurodynamic Slider technique in reducing pain, improving functional outcomes, and balance, offering a cost-effective management strategy for affected individuals.
- Conditions
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Being tested
- Selected conventional physical therapy program, Sciatic nerve slider mobilization
- Medical subject headings
- Radiculopathy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Selected conventional physical therapy programOther
The program will include:
1- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) will be applied at Lumbosacral area, with pulse frequency of 100 Hz for 15 minutes.
- Manual therapy intervention: Myofascial release will be performed on low back muscles and gluteus, piriformis, hamstring, and calf of the affected lower extremity applied for 20 minutes. Following side posture positional distraction, the wedge pillow will be removed and the patient is maintained in the same position. The physical therapist performed passive spinal rotation mobilization. Finally, high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation will be applied from the same position.
- Core stability exercises: They are consisted of of side plank on knee or ankle on both sides, and clamshell exercise. The clamshell exercise consists of three sets of ten repetitions. Side plank will be performed three times in a static manner for 10-20 seconds or up to patient failure.
Sciatic nerve slider mobilizationOther
Mobilization will be applied from supine position, alternating hip flexion with knee extension and dorsiflexion, and knee flexion with plantar flexion, performed three times for 1 minute straight leg raising technique rhythmically
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Selected conventional physical therapy program group | Active comparator | The participants will receive selected conventional physical therapy program, 3 sessions per week for six weeks. Receives: Other: Selected conventional physical therapy program |
| Sciatic nerve slider mobilization group | Experimental | The participants will receive sciatic nerve slider mobilization in addition to selected conventional physical therapy program, 3 sessions per week for six weeks. Receives: Other: Selected conventional physical therapy program; Other: Sciatic nerve slider mobilization |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain pressure threshold
It will be assessed by pressure pain algometer to measure this tenderness to palpation. An electronic digital algometer (Biotronik Care, Mars OneSKU: SF1005, India). Manual palpation with mild pressure will be utilized from supine to the common peroneal nerve, which passes behind the head of the fibula and runs around the neck of the fibula; from prone to the sciatic nerve at the midpoint of a line from the ischial tuberosity to the greater trochanter of the femur; and the tibial nerve, which bisects the popliteal fossa at the midpoint of the popliteal crease. Positive reporting consists of pain or discomfort on the symptomatic side, as well as greater pain or discomfort on the symptomatic side than on the asymptomatic side.
Three measurements will be performed at each test site, with a 10-second pause between each. The average of the three measurements will be calculated.
Measured: 6 weeks
Functional Disability
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire will be used to assess functional disability. It includes 24 items with face validity to describe patients with low back pain. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire has excellent psychometrics, is simple to administer, and has been found to be effective in therapy research studies. Items are scored 0 if left blank or 1 if endorsed, for a total RMQ score ranging from 0 to 24; higher scores represent higher levels of pain-related disability.
Measured: 6 weeks
Balance Evaluation
It will be assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is an objective measure of static and dynamic balance abilities. The scale consists of 14 functional tasks commonly performed in everyday life. Scoring uses a five-point ordinal scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 4. Maximum score of 56 points is possible. Lower scores indicate poor balance.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Mar 2026
- Study start10 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Lumbar RadiculopathyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Abdelrahman Taha El-Sayed, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Ebtesam Fahmy, Professor, Study director, Cairo UniversityRasha El-Rewainy, Professor, Study chair, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07458399
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- P.T.REC/012/006269
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Sciatic Nerve Neurodynamic Sliding Technique on Pain, Disability, and Balance in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07458399
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- P.T.REC/012/006269
- Conditions
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will be conducted to evaluate the effect of sciatic nerve slider mobilization on pain intensity. Also, to evaluate the impact of sciatic nerve mobilization on functional disability, and to determine the influence of sciatic nerve slider neurodynamics on functional balance performance.
Detailed description
Radicular pain in lumbar radiculopathy is a mixture of nociceptive and neuropathic component. Several conservative treatments are available to treat lumbar radiculopathy: moderate evidence (Level B) of effectiveness for the conservative treatment: patient education and self-management, McKenzie method, mobilization and manipulation, exercise therapy, traction (short-term outcomes), neural mobilization, and epidural injections. Two interventions were identified to have weak evidence of effectiveness (Level C): traction for long-term outcomes and dry needling. Three interventions were identified to have conflicting or no evidence (Level D) of effectiveness: electro-diagnostic-based management, laser and ultrasound, and electrotherapy. The efficacy of individual treatment is controversial; a multimodal approach is recommended because it is more effective. However, little high-quality evidence supports the use of conservative treatment.
As well as being amongst the manual therapy techniques recommended to improve patients' pain and disability, neural mobilization (NM) has also been advocated as an analgesic treatment option. NMs are techniques that involve a specific sequence of joint movements to mobilize the involved peripheral nerve in order to enhance nerve gliding and reduce the neural mechanosensitivity.
This study will provide further insight into the efficacy of sciatic nerve neurodynamic Slider technique in reducing pain, improving functional outcomes, and balance, offering a cost-effective management strategy for affected individuals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Selected conventional physical therapy program group | Active comparator | Other: Selected conventional physical therapy programThe participants will receive selected conventional physical therapy program, 3 sessions per week for six weeks. |
| Sciatic nerve slider mobilization group | Experimental | Other: Selected conventional physical therapy program, Other: Sciatic nerve slider mobilizationThe participants will receive sciatic nerve slider mobilization in addition to selected conventional physical therapy program, 3 sessions per week for six weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Chronic unilateral lumbar painful radiculopathy (duration ranged from 3 to 18 months).
- During the evaluation session, repeated lumbar movements did not improve or worsen lower extremity symptoms.
- Positive straight leg raise (SLR) response. A positive SLR test was defined as the presence of both of these findings: (1) the test reproduced the patient's symptoms and (2) the symptoms decreased with the ankle plantar flexion component of the test.
- Unilateral Pain radiating below the knee, with leg pain equal to or more severe than the accompanying back pain.
- The presence of paresthesia such as pins and needles or numbness in the affected limb, along with neurological deficits-whether motor, sensory, or reflex-that corresponded to the dermatome or myotome of the affected nerve root.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Systemic diseases such as autoimmune and metabolic diseases.
- Previous Lumbar Spine surgery.
- Lumbar spine stenosis.
- Spinal deformity.
- Spinal fracture.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Selected conventional physical therapy programThe program will include: 1- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) will be applied at Lumbosacral area, with pulse frequency of 100 Hz for 15 minutes. 2) Manual therapy intervention: Myofascial release will be performed on low back muscles and gluteus, piriformis, hamstring, and calf of the affected lower extremity applied for 20 minutes. Following side posture positional distraction, the wedge pillow will be removed and the patient is maintained in the same position. The physical therapist performed passive spinal rotation mobilization. Finally, high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation will be applied from the same position. 3) Core stability exercises: They are consisted of of side plank on knee or ankle on both sides, and clamshell exercise. The clamshell exercise consists of three sets of ten repetitions. Side plank will be performed three times in a static manner for 10-20 seconds or up to patient failure. | Other | Sciatic nerve slider mobilization group, Selected conventional physical therapy program group |
| Sciatic nerve slider mobilizationMobilization will be applied from supine position, alternating hip flexion with knee extension and dorsiflexion, and knee flexion with plantar flexion, performed three times for 1 minute straight leg raising technique rhythmically | Other | Sciatic nerve slider mobilization group |
Primary outcome
Pain pressure threshold
Time frame: 6 weeks
It will be assessed by pressure pain algometer to measure this tenderness to palpation. An electronic digital algometer (Biotronik Care, Mars OneSKU: SF1005, India). Manual palpation with mild pressure will be utilized from supine to the common peroneal nerve, which passes behind the head of the fibula and runs around the neck of the fibula; from prone to the sciatic nerve at the midpoint of a line from the ischial tuberosity to the greater trochanter of the femur; and the tibial nerve, which bisects the popliteal fossa at the midpoint of the popliteal crease. Positive reporting consists of pain or discomfort on the symptomatic side, as well as greater pain or discomfort on the symptomatic side than on the asymptomatic side. Three measurements will be performed at each test site, with a 10-second pause between each. The average of the three measurements will be calculated.
Functional Disability
Time frame: 6 weeks
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire will be used to assess functional disability. It includes 24 items with face validity to describe patients with low back pain. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire has excellent psychometrics, is simple to administer, and has been found to be effective in therapy research studies. Items are scored 0 if left blank or 1 if endorsed, for a total RMQ score ranging from 0 to 24; higher scores represent higher levels of pain-related disability.
Balance Evaluation
Time frame: 6 weeks
It will be assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is an objective measure of static and dynamic balance abilities. The scale consists of 14 functional tasks commonly performed in everyday life. Scoring uses a five-point ordinal scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 4. Maximum score of 56 points is possible. Lower scores indicate poor balance.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ebtesam Fahmy, Professor study director
Cairo University
Rasha El-Rewainy, Professor study chair
Cairo University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Selected conventional physical therapy program and Sciatic nerve slider mobilization in people with Lumbar Radiculopathy, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Abdelrahman El-Sayed, Master (01091843750, Tahaabdelrahman07@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain pressure threshold (time frame: 6 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Mar 2026.