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CompletedNCT06947785Updated Apr 8, 2026

Effectiveness of Combined Neural Mobilization With Manual Myofascial Release for Sciatic Pain Relief

An interventional study of Combined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release and Neural Mobilization in Sciatica, sponsored by Riphah International University. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 20 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-08.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
48
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 40 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

This study will address to evaluate and compare both Neural mobilization and Manual Myofascial Release of piriformis and Lumbar muscles in sciatic pain with the aim of evaluating and identifying the most effective intervention for managing this specific condition, and provide valuable insights into the effectiveness, mechanisms, and practical considerations associated with these interventions, ultimately contributing to evidence based and patient centered care.

Read the detailed description

MFR is a hands-on technique targeting fascial restrictions that may contribute to pain and reduced mobility. Barnes proposed that releasing fascial adhesions can improve circulation, reduce nerve compression, and enhance tissue flexibility. In a study by Ajimsha et al. , MFR was found to significantly reduce pain and improve physical function in patients with nonspecific low back pain. There is a lack of comparative research assessing the relative efficacy of neural mobilization andMFR in sciatic pain management. While both techniques are rooted in distinct mechanisms neural desensitization versus fascial release they may have overlapping benefits in improving mobility and reducing pain. This study addresses this research gap by directly comparing the two approaches in individuals with sciatic pain.

02

Conditions studied

  • Sciatica

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Keywords

  • Neural Mobilization
  • Myofascial Release
  • Sciatic Pain
03

In context

Sciatica

149 studies on the registry are indexed under Sciatica; 31 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 48 is below the median of 68 across 122 interventional studies indexed under Sciatica.

Browse Sciatica studies →

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,193 studies on the registry; 650 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 40 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Clinically diagnosed unilateral sciatic pain for >3 months.
  2. Positive Straight Leg Raise (SLR).

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

- Participants fall in this category would be excluded of the study.

  1. Recent spinal surgery or trauma.
  2. Neurological deficits or systemic conditions affecting the nervous system.
  3. Any other red flags
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
48 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Combined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release

    Combined neural mobilization of Sciatic nerve and manual myofascial release of piriformis and back muscles will be given to this group.

    Other: Combined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release

  • Active comparator
    Neural Mobilization

    Only neural mobilization of Sciatic nerve will be given to this group.

    Other: Neural Mobilization

  • Active comparator
    Manual Myofascial Release

    Only manual myofascial release of piriformis and back muscles will be given to this group.

    Other: Manual Myofascial Release

Interventions

  • OtherCombined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release

    Combined neural mobilization with manual myofascial release will be provided to each subject.

    Also known as: Neural Mobilization, Manual Myofascial Release

  • OtherNeural Mobilization

    neural mobilization will be provided to each subject.

    Also known as: Combined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release, Manual Myofascial Release

  • OtherManual Myofascial Release

    Manual myofascial release will be provided to each subject.

    Also known as: Combined Neural Mobilization with Manual myofascial Release, Neural Mobilization

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Numerical pain rating scale

    A subjective pain assessment tool where patients rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

    Time frame: Four Weeks

  2. Universal Goniometer

    Joint range of motion will be measured using a Universal Goniometer in degrees (°). Each joint movement will be assessed individually. The goniometer will be used following standardized procedures as per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines. Unit of Measure is degrees.

    Time frame: Four Weeks

  3. Patient-Specific Functional Scale

    The Patient-Specific Functional Scale is a validated patient-reported outcome measure used to assess functional limitations based on activities identified by the patient. Participants will rate their ability to perform 3-5 self-selected activities that are important to them, using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10. Minimum score: 0 (indicating the patient is unable to perform the activity) Maximum score: 10 (indicating the patient can perform the activity at their prior level with no difficulty) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better functional status. The average score across all selected activities will be used for analysis.

    Time frame: Four Weeks

  4. SLR (Straight Leg Raise)

    A clinical test used to assess sciatic nerve irritation or lumbar radiculopathy by raising the extended leg while the patient lies supine.

    Time frame: Four Weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Riphah International University, Malakand
    Chakdara, KPK 18800, Pakistan
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Apr 2025 to primary completion in Oct 2025, 5 months.

Of 44 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Sciatica, half reached primary completion within 11 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 30. This study's 5 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 44 studies reached it within 11 months; a quarter within 6 and three quarters within 30.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Apr 7, 2025
First posted
Apr 27, 2025
StartActual
Apr 15, 2025
Primary completionActual
Oct 3, 2025
CompletionActual
Dec 31, 2025
Last update
Apr 8, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Apr 8, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06947785
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Apr 27, 2025
Start date
Apr 15, 2025
Primary completion
Oct 3, 2025
Completion
Dec 31, 2025
Last update
Apr 8, 2026

Study contacts

Amnah Anum, MSPT
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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