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Contralateral Neural Tissue Mobilization for Cervical Radiculopathy

NCT07248943 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2025-11-25

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common form of peripheral neuropathic pain characterized by neck and upper extremity symptoms in a dermatomal distribution. Neural tissue mobilization (NTM) is an intervention shown to provide benefit for neuropathic pain presentations; however, some patients are unable to tolerate direct treatment of the symptomatic limb due to allodynia, hyperalgesia, or fear of movement. Early evidence from lower-extremity research suggests that contralateral NTM may produce therapeutic effects similar to ipsilateral treatment, but this approach has not been investigated in individuals with upper-extremity symptoms.

This exploratory case series aims to examine the immediate effects of contralateral NTM in adults presenting to outpatient physical therapy with CR. Participants will undergo pre- and post-treatment assessments of pain intensity, disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain distribution, and neurodynamic mechanosensitivity. Findings will provide preliminary evidence regarding whether contralateral NTM may serve as a viable treatment option when direct symptomatic limb treatment is not tolerated.

Conditions

  • Cervical Radiculopathy
  • Pain
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Radicular Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Contralateral Neural Tissue Mobilization (NTM)

A standardized 8-10 minute contralateral NTM protocol will be performed and includes: 1. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization (ULNT1a pattern) with: * Cervical side flexion toward the non-symptomatic side * Movement to the point of resistance * 1-2 seconds of gentle engagement followed by release * Repeated 15 times 2. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization with: * Neutral cervical position * Repeated 15 times 3. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization with: * Cervical side flexion away from the non-symptomatic side * Repeated 15 times 4. Sitting active neurodynamic exercises (contralateral UE) * 10 active "sliders" * 10 active "tensioners" * 10 additional active "sliders" The neurodynamic pattern follows the ULNT1a sequence: shoulder abduction to 90°, external rotation, forearm supination, wrist/finger extension with ulnar deviation, and progressive elbow extension. Single treatment session delivered in-person by a trained physical therapist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Rockhurst University

    collaborator OTHER

  • Evidence In Motion

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-12-31
Primary Completion
2026-08-31
Completion
2026-09-30

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Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07248943 on ClinicalTrials.gov