Comparative Effects of Dynamic Stretching Versus Slider Neurodynamic Technique In Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy

Summary

This study will be a randomised clinical trial conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 72 participants will be selected and randomly allocated into two treatment groups (36 participants in each group) using the lottery method. All screened and willing participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be assigned to either Group A or Group B.

Group A will receive dynamic stretching along with routine physiotherapy. Routine physiotherapy will include TENS (15 minutes), hot moist pack (10 minutes), soft tissue mobilisation (5-7 minutes), abdominal bracing, pelvic tilt, and alternate leg extension exercises. The dynamic stretching part will include the slump stretch, cat-camel stretch, hamstring sweeps, child pose stretch, and overhead lateral stretch. Each stretch will be performed in 2 sets of 15-20 repetitions with 1-minute rest between sets. Treatment will be provided four times per week for 6 weeks.

Group B will receive slider neurodynamic mobilisation along with the same routine physiotherapy protocol as group A. Slider neurodynamic mobilisation will be performed in the slump position, sitting at the edge of the plinth with the thighs parallel to each other and arms crossing behind the back. The examiner asked the patient to move actively and conversely from a position of neck and trunk flexion, knee flexion, and plantar flexion, to a position of neck and trunk extension, knee extension, and ankle dorsiflexion with 3 sets of 1-minute sliders and 1-minute rest between sets. Treatment will be provided four times per week for 6 weeks.

All participants will undergo assessments at baseline, at the end of the 3rd week, and at the end of the 6th week.

Conditions

• Lumbar Radiculopathy

Interventions

OTHER

Dynamic stretching

Dynamic stretching protocol will include: * Slump Stretch (4 minutes): The patient performed a slump stretch, seated with knees bent, extending one leg at a time while flexing the trunk forward to stretch the lumbar nerve roots. * Cat and Camel Stretch (4 minutes): The patient alternated between spinal flexion and extension while on hands and knees. * Hamstring Sweeps (4 minutes): The patient performed dynamic hamstring stretches, sweeping the leg forward and back to increase flexibility in the posterior chain. * Child's Pose Stretch (4 minutes): The patient performed a child's pose stretch to improve flexibility in the lower back and hips. * Overhead Lateral Stretch (4 minutes): The patient performed a side stretch to target the quadratus lumborum and obliques, releasing tension from the side of the back. Each dynamic stretch will be performed as follows: * 2 sets of 10-15 repetitions * 1-minute rest between sets * Performed 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks

OTHER

slider neurodynamic mobilization

Performed in the slump sitting position. Participants move from neck and trunk flexion with knee flexion and plantar flexion toward neck and trunk extension with knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion. The protocol consists of 3 sets of 1-minute slider movements, each followed by 1 minute of rest.

OTHER

Routine physiotherapy

TENS: Conventional Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation was applied for 15 minutes (70 Hz frequency, 100 μs pulse width). Two 40×40 mm electrodes were positioned in a crossed pattern bilaterally over the lumbosacral region. A hot moist pack was applied to the lumbosacral and gluteal regions for 10 minutes in prone lying.Strengthening and Stabilization Exercises: Pelvic tilts were performed in crook-lying with 10-15 second holds. Alternate leg extensions were performed in prone with 10-second holds. Quadriceps and hip adductor/abductor strengthening were completed using isometric contractions (e.g., pillow squeeze)..All exercises were performed in 2 sets of 15-20 repetitions with 1 min rest. and lumbar traction.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lahore Hospital (ULH)

  collaborator NETWORK

• University of Lahore

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Asim Arif, PhD · University of Lahore

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

25 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-06-20

Primary Completion

2026-01-30

Completion

2026-02-10

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations