Cervical Lateral Glide Neural Mobilization Is Effective in Treating Cervicobrachial Pain: A Randomized Waiting List Controlled Clinical Trial.
BACKGROUND
Cervicobrachial pain (CP) is a high-incidence and prevalent condition. Cervical lateral glide (CLG) is a firstline treatment of CP. There is a current lack of enough high-quality randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials that measure the effectiveness of neural tissue mobilization techniques such as the CLG and its specific effect over CP.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of CLG neural mobilization in treating subjects who suffer from CP, compared with the complete absence of treatment.


METHODS
This investigation was a single-center, blinded, parallel randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT).


METHODS
One hundred forty-seven individuals were screened in a medical center from July to November 2015. Fifty-eight participants were diagnosed with CP.


METHODS
Participants were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups of 29 subjects. The intervention group received CLG treatment, and the control group (CG) was assigned to a six-week waiting list to receive treatment. Randomization was carried out by concealed computer software randomized printed cards. The primary outcome was pain intensity, reported through the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain (NRSP). Secondary outcomes were physical function involving the affected upper limb using the Quick DASH scale and ipsilateral cervical rotation (ICR) using a CROM device. Assessments were made at baseline and one hour after treatment.


RESULTS
The CLG group NRSP mean value was significantly (P < 0.0001) superior to those obtained by the CG. Subjects treated with CLG reported an average NRSP decrease of 2.16 points (35%). CROM device and Quick DASH outcome values also reported significant (P < 0.0001) improvements only in the CLG group. Cohen's d showed a very large effect of the CLG intervention at subject discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the lack of dipper subgroup analysis and additional reproductions of the applied protocol, the authors considered the generalization of the study results to be impossible.


CONCLUSIONS
CLG is superior to the absence of treatment in reducing pain and increasing the affected upper limb function of subjects who suffer from CP. CLG may be considered an effective treatment in specific cases of CP.
Faculty of Health, Exercise and Sport, Department of Physical Therapy and Podiatry, Physical Therapy & Health Sciences Research group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain.
David
D
Rodríguez-Sanz
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Leon, Ponferrada, Leon, Spain.
César
C
Calvo-Lobo
Faculty of Health, Exercise and Sport, Department of Physical Therapy and Podiatry, Physical Therapy & Health Sciences Research group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain.
Francisco
F
Unda-Solano
Podiatry, Nursing and Physical Therapy Department, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Irene
I
Sanz-Corbalán
Faculty of Health, Exercise and Sport, Department of Physical Therapy and Podiatry, Physical Therapy & Health Sciences Research group, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain.
Carlos
C
Romero-Morales
Research, Health and Podiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Universidade da Coruña, Coruña, Spain.
Daniel
D
López-López
D000328:Adult; D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists
Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Pain Management; Peripheral Nerve; Physical Therapy Modalities