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Lumbar RadiculopathyNCT07646379

Effects of Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement With and Without Neural Flossing Technique in Lumbar Radiculopathy

A study testing SMWLM along with Neural flossing technique and SMWLM without Neural flossing technique in people with Lumbar Radiculopathy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Lumbar radiculopathy is a spinal condition caused by compression or irritation of the lumbar nerve roots, leading to radiating leg pain, sensory changes, and functional disability. It commonly affects middle-aged and older adults, impairing daily activities and quality of life. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 30 to 50 years
Conditions the study is for
Lumbar Radiculopathy
What is being tested?
SMWLM along with Neural flossing technique and SMWLM without Neural flossing technique
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
36 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
30 May 2026to 30 Aug 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 30 to 50 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • • Patients aged between 30-50 years (9)
  • Both male and female genders
  • Patient should have lower back pain radiating to one side with numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness (12)
  • Positive Lasegue \& slump test

Who cannot join

  • Any fracture or other injury
  • Any systemic illness
  • Any inflammatory disease (Rheumatoid arthritis, gout)
  • Disc herniation
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Lumbar instability
  • Scoliosis

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Samrood Akram, PhD* contact

03324806143

samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk

Pakistan1 site
  • Physio house (Comprehensive Rehab Center)

    Lahore, Punjab Province, 54920

    Adnan Akram, +92 321 8851888, dradnan531@gmail.com

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Effects of Spinal Mobilization With Leg Movement With and Without Neural Flossing Technique on Pain, Disability, and Range of Motion in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is a spinal condition caused by compression or irritation of the lumbar nerve roots, leading to radiating leg pain, sensory changes, and functional disability. It commonly affects middle-aged and older adults, impairing daily activities and quality of life. Conservative treatments include medication, physiotherapy, and exercise. Spinal Mobilization with Leg Movement (SMWLM), a Mulligan technique, uses passive vertebral mobilization with active leg motion to reduce nerve compression and improve mobility. Neural flossing, or neurodynamic mobilization, enhances nerve mobility by promoting gliding of nerve roots, especially in cases of restricted neural movement. This study aims to evaluate the effects of spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) with and without neural flossing technique on pain, disability, and range of motion in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Read the detailed description

This single-blinded randomized clinical trial will be conducted at Noor Al-Shifa Hospital, Lahore, over 10 months following ethical approval. A total of 36 patients (18 in each group) with lumbar radiculopathy will be recruited by using non-probability convenience sampling. Group A will receive spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) with neural flossing technique, while Group B will receive spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) only. Each group will undergo treatment 3 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include pain (NPRS), SLR range of motion (Goniometer), and disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Index). Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26

Being tested
SMWLM along with Neural flossing technique, SMWLM without Neural flossing technique
Keywords
pain, radiculopathy, range of motion, spinal mobilization
Medical subject headings
Radiculopathy, Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • SMWLM along with Neural flossing techniqueOther

    The participant will be positioned in side-lying with limb where the pain radiated to on top. Therapist 1 will stand at the participant's ventral side and apply transverse glide with the thumb on the involved lumbar spinous process. Therapist 2 will then abduct the affected leg by 10° and take the limb gently into hip flexion with knee extended, while the glide will be sustained continuously by therapist 1. The entire motion during mobilization will be maintained pain-free. The participant will be positioned in side-lying with limb where the pain radiated to on top. Therapist 1 will stand at the participant's ventral side and apply transverse glide with the thumb on the involved lumbar spinous process. Therapist 2 will then abduct the affected leg by 10° and take the limb gently into hip flexion with knee extended, while the glide will be sustained continuously by therapist 1. The entire motion during mobilization will be maintained pain-free.

  • SMWLM without Neural flossing techniqueOther

    The participant will be positioned in side-lying with limb where the pain radiated to on top. Therapist 1 will stand at the participant's ventral side and apply transverse glide with the thumb on the involved lumbar spinous process. Therapist 2 will then abduct the affected leg by 10° and take the limb gently into hip flexion with knee extended, while the glide will be sustained continuously by therapist 1. The entire motion during mobilization will be maintained pain-free. The procedure will be repeated three times as per Mulligans rule of 3, post which the SLR test and NPRS will be re-measured

Study groups in NCT07646379
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
SMWLM along with neural flossing techniqueExperimentalSpinal Mobilization with Leg Movement (SMWLM) and Neural Flossing are highly effective, conservative physical therapy approaches for managing lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica). They aim to reduce nerve root compression, disperse neural edema, and restore the healthy gliding of nerves within their surrounding tissues
Receives: Other: SMWLM along with Neural flossing technique
SMWLM without neural flossing techniqueActive comparatorSpinal Mobilization with Leg Movement (SMWLM) is a manual therapy technique developed by Brian Mulligan to treat lumbar radiculopathy. It combines sustained gliding pressure on the lumbar spine with passive or active straight leg raises to alleviate nerve compression, reduce pain, and restore mobility
Receives: Other: SMWLM without Neural flossing technique

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Numeric Pain Rating Scale for Pain

    It is a widely used subjective measure for assessing pain intensity, where patients rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). It has high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.92) and strong construct validity for acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions

    Measured: upto 4 weeks

  2. Goniometer for ROM

    It is a clinical instrument used to measure joint range of motion in degrees, commonly applied in musculoskeletal assessments. It demonstrates excellent intra-rater (ICC = 0.95) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.89), with strong validity when compared with digital motion analysis tools

    Measured: Upto 4 weeks

  3. Modfied Oswestry Disability Index for disability

    It is a self-reported questionnaire used to assess disability due to low back pain, covering aspects such as pain, mobility, and daily activities. It is a highly valid tool (construct validity r = 0.75) with excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90, ICC = 0.91), making it one of the most commonly used functional outcome measures in spine-related research

    Measured: Upto 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jun 2026
  2. Study start30 May 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)

Resources

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
36 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07646379
Sponsor's protocol ID
REC/RCR&AHS/25/0124 Ruhma
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
8 Jun 2026
Last updated
12 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Soar H, Comer C, Wilby MJ, Baranidharan G. Lumbar radicular pain. BJA Educ. 2022 Sep;22(9):343-349. doi: 10.1016/j.bjae.2022.05.003. Epub 2022 Aug 1. No abstract available.

    PubMed 36033931
  • Ali MS, Kelini KIS, Elsayed M, Galal DOSM, Abdul-Rahman RS. Prevalence of lumbosacral radiculopathy among physiotherapists of pediatric rehabilitation. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte. 2024;19(2):184-8.

  • Bateman EA, Fortin CD, Guo M. Musculoskeletal mimics of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Muscle Nerve. 2025 May;71(5):816-832. doi: 10.1002/mus.28106. Epub 2024 May 10.

    PubMed 38726566
  • Pinto MV, Ng PS, Laughlin RS, Thapa P, Aragon Pinto C, Shelly S, Shouman K, Dyck PJ, Dyck PJB. Risk factors for lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy. Muscle Nerve. 2022 May;65(5):593-598. doi: 10.1002/mus.27484. Epub 2022 Jan 22.

    PubMed 34970748
  • Hincapie CA, Kroismayr D, Hofstetter L, Kurmann A, Cancelliere C, Raja Rampersaud Y, Boyle E, Tomlinson GA, Jadad AR, Hartvigsen J, Cote P, Cassidy JD. Incidence of and risk factors for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy in adults: a systematic review. Eur Spine J. 2025 Jan;34(1):263-294. doi: 10.1007/s00586-024-08528-8. Epub 2024 Oct 25.

    PubMed 39453541
  • Price MR, Mead KE, Cowell DM, Troutner AM, Barton TE, Walters SA, Daniels CJ. Medication recommendations for treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. PM R. 2024 Oct;16(10):1128-1142. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.13142. Epub 2024 Apr 17.

    PubMed 38629664
  • Amjad F, Mohseni-Bandpei MA, Gilani SA, Ahmad A, Hanif A. Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy on pain, range of motion, endurance, functional disability and quality of life versus routine physical therapy alone in patients with lumbar radiculopathy; a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Mar 16;23(1):255. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05196-x.

    PubMed 35296293
  • Wang S, Hebert JJ, Abraham E, Vandewint A, Bigney E, Richardson E, El-Mughayyar D, Attabib N, Wedderkopp N, Kingwell S, Soroceanu A, Weber MH, Hall H, Finkelstein J, Bailey CS, Thomas K, Nataraj A, Paquet J, Johnson MG, Fisher C, Rampersaud YR, Dea N, Small C, Manson N. Postoperative recovery patterns following discectomy surgery in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. Sci Rep. 2022 Jul 1;12(1):11146. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15169-8.

    PubMed 35778472
  • Kim SJ, Jang HY, Lee S-M. Effects of spinal mobilization with leg movement and neural mobilization on pain, mobility, and psychosocial functioning of patients with lumbar disc herniation: A randomized controlled study. Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science. 2023;12(2):92-104.

  • Rakesh R. Effectiveness of Mckenzie Exercises Versus Neural Flossing Technique in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy. 2024;18.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing SMWLM along with Neural flossing technique and SMWLM without Neural flossing technique in people with Lumbar Radiculopathy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

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 4 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 12 Jun 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 Pakistan. 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 Samrood Akram, PhD* (03324806143, samrood.akram@riphah.edu.pk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Numeric Pain Rating Scale for Pain (time frame: upto 4 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?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07646379, which also lists 10 linked publications.

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 12 Jun 2026.

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