Effect of Neural Mobilization Combined with Conventional Physiotherapy on Disability and Cervical Mobility in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy: A Comparative Study

Author

Riya Gangaram Gitte, Dr. Pratiksha Lanke


Abstract

 Cervical radiculopathy is a condition associated with neck and upper-limb pain, restricted cervical mobility, sensory symptoms, and functional disability. Nerve flossing is a neural mobilization technique that may improve neural mobility and reduce symptoms; however, limited evidence is available regarding its additional effects when combined with conventional physiotherapy in individuals with cervical radiculopathy. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of nerve flossing added to conventional therapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy. An experimental study was conducted among 32 patients aged 30–70 years who were randomly allocated into two groups of 16 participants each. Group A received nerve flossing combined with conventional therapy, while Group B received conventional therapy alone. Both groups underwent treatment for four weeks, with three sessions per week. Outcomes were assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and cervical range of motion (ROM), measured using a universal goniometer before and after the intervention. Within-group changes were analysed using paired-samples t-tests, while between-group changes were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in NDI and all measured cervical ROM parameters following the intervention (p < 0.001). Group A showed a greater reduction in NDI (26.63 points) than Group B (20.00 points). Between-group analysis revealed statistically significant differences in NDI improvement (p = 0.021) and all cervical ROM parameters (p < 0.001), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large. These findings indicate that both treatment approaches were associated with significant improvements in disability and cervical range of motion; however, adding nerve flossing to conventional therapy resulted in greater improvements than conventional therapy alone. 



Keywords

Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Range of Motion, Conventional Therapy, Neck Disability Index, Nerve Flossing, Neural Mobilization.



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References


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