The effect of sciatic nerve mobilization on pain, functional disability, sciatic nerve morphology and lower extremity muscles morphology in patients with lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sciatic nerve mobilization technique and compare it with placebo treatment of sciatic nerve mobilization on pain indices, functional disability, sciatic nerve morphology and morphology of lumbar multifidus, biceps femoris, soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles in patients with radiculopathy caused by disc bulging in lower back region.

This study is a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with 46 participants.

Mobilization of sciatic nerve (nerve gliding technique) and placebo therapy on patients referred to the Faculty of Rehabilitation of Iran University. Participants and assessors are unaware of the group of people.

Inclusion criteria: 1- 46 patients with radiculopathy in one leg for at least 3 months (having at least one of the symptoms: pain, numbness, tingling). 2- Age between 18-55 3-A positive SLR test at an angle of 20 to 70 degrees. 4- Body mass index less than 30 5- Pain level based on NPRS in the lower back during the last 24 hours at rest between 40 and 60 6- Confirmation of disc bulging using MRI at levels of L4-L5 and L5-S1. 7- Minimum reading and writing literacy in cycles. Exclusion criteria: 1- Absence of any underlying disease, including diabetes, previous problems, etc. 2- Any dissatisfaction and lack of participation of patients. 3- Low back pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the spine joints, infection, vertebral fracture, trauma, osteoporosis, etc. 4- Pregnancy 5- Physical therapy at least 1 month ago

Intervention group: receiving basic treatment with sciatic nerve mobilization Control group: Receiving basic treatment with placebo treatment of sciatic nerve mobilization

Pain, functional disability, SLR angle, morphology of sciatic nerve and nerve-giving muscles

After completion of personal information and initial evaluations, patients with low back pain with radiculopathy symptoms will be randomly divided into two groups A or main treatment group: group B and control group receiving nerve mobilization placebo technique. Random allocation will be done in the variable block method, which consists of four-letter blocks made up of letters A and B. Then, the random list of treatments that will be obtained at the end of the assignment will be placed in the letters A and B in sealed and numbered envelopes (letter A represents nerve mobilization technique and the letter B represents the placebo technique of nerve mobilization). The random assignment process will be performed by an outside of the research team before the start of the study. After the initial evaluation by the examiner, the numbered envelopes will be presented to each person entering the study. Finally, after the patient enters the therapy sessions, the therapist will adjust the treatment interventions based on the letters in the envelope.

Participants will be given envelopes in a closed envelope before the start of the first treatment session, and one of the letters A or B is written. Attendees deliver envelopes to their therapist, only the therapist is allowed to open the envelopes. The evaluator does not know the groups of participants.