An interventional study of Neurodynamic Hamstring Mobilisation in Range of Motion, Neuromuscular Signs and Symptoms and Wounds and Injury, sponsored by University of Salford. Completed. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-15.
Sponsored by University of Salford · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate whether single limb neurodynamic mobilizations increase active knee extension (AKE) range of motion (ROM) of the contralateral limb. 20 healthy participants (10 females and 10 males, age; 20.8+1.7 years, height; 1.7+ 0.1m, weight; 76.7+ 15.4kg). AKE was measured pre- and post- intervention and control. The main question it aims to answer are:
It is hypothesized that contralateral neurodynamic mobilization will significantly increase AKE ROM in asymptomatic individuals.
Participants were allocated sequentially in an alternating order to study groups. This method aims to balance group sizes while simplifying the assignment. AKE was measured immediately before and after the allocated condition. One week later, at the same time of day, participants returned to complete the opposing condition following a standardized washout period to minimize carryover effects between conditions.
This study investigates whether unilateral neurodynamic mobilisation produces measurable changes in active knee extension (AKE) range of motion (ROM) in the contralateral limb. Neurodynamic mobilisation techniques are commonly used to influence the mechanical and physiological behaviour of the peripheral nervous system, and previous research has demonstrated that neurodynamic "slider" techniques can acutely increase ipsilateral hamstring flexibility in asymptomatic individuals. However, the potential for contralateral effects, where treatment applied to one limb results in changes in the opposite limb, has not been directly evaluated using this specific mobilisation approach. The present study addresses this gap by examining whether a single session of unilateral neurodynamic mobilisation alters contralateral AKE performance.
The study was conducted using a counterbalanced crossover design consisting of two separate laboratory sessions: a neurodynamic mobilisation session and a control session. Each participant completed both sessions in a randomised order, with a one-week washout period implemented to minimise potential carry-over effects. All sessions were conducted at the same time of day to reduce variability related to diurnal fluctuations in neuromuscular performance.
During the neurodynamic mobilisation session, participants performed an active neurodynamic sliding technique adapted from previously published protocols. The technique was designed to promote excursion of the sciatic nerve without increasing tensile load. Participants were seated at the edge of a plinth in a flexed spinal posture with the hip and knee flexed and the ankle plantarflexed. From this position, they actively extended the cervical spine, extended the knee, and dorsiflexed the foot before returning to the starting position. Movements were paced using a metronome set at 60 beats per minute, with one full cycle of movement performed per beat. The mobilisation consisted of six sets of 30 seconds, separated by 10-second rest intervals, totalling 90 repetitions. The technique was applied only to the right lower limb.
The control session matched the duration of the mobilisation session but involved no movement. Participants remained seated quietly for four minutes following baseline measurement. This allowed comparison between the effects of the neurodynamic intervention and the passage of time alone.
AKE testing was performed immediately before and after each condition. The test was conducted with the participant lying supine, with the hip and knee of the test limb positioned at 90 degrees using a standardised support. Participants were instructed to actively extend the knee as far as possible while maintaining the hip position. Knee angle was measured using a bubble inclinometer placed on the anterior tibial border. Three measurements were taken at each time point, and the average value was used for analysis. All AKE measurements were performed on the contralateral (left) limb, as the mobilisation was applied to the right limb.
Statistical analysis involved a two-by-two repeated measures analysis of variance to examine the interaction between condition (mobilisation vs control) and time (pre vs post). Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were conducted to explore the direction of significant interactions. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared and Cohen's d. Test-retest reliability of the AKE test was assessed using data from the control condition collected one week apart, enabling calculation of the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). These values were used to determine whether observed changes exceeded measurement error at both group and individual levels.
22 studies on the registry are indexed under Neuromuscular Manifestations; 6 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 20 is below the median of 54 across 16 interventional studies indexed under Neuromuscular Manifestations.
Browse Neuromuscular Manifestations studies →University of Salford is the lead sponsor of 27 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
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.
Exclusion Criteria:
The neurodynamic technique was adapted from Castellote-Caballero12. The active neurodynamic sliding technique required the participant to sit on the edge of the bed with their feet off the floor. Participants sat in a slumped position with their thoracic and cervical spine flexed, knees flexed and feet plantar flexed. They then extended their cervical spine, extended their knee and dorsiflexed their foot before returning to the starting position, counting as one repetition. This was performed on the right leg for six sets of 30 seconds with a 10 second rest between sets, using a metronome app (ONYX 3, Apple, California) set at 60bpm. Participants flexed and extended their leg on each metronome beat, completing 90 repetitions in total.
Other: Neurodynamic Hamstring Mobilisation
Following an initial active knee extension test measurement, participants in the control condition were instructed to sit quietly for 4 minutes to match the duration of the intervention condition.
Other: Neurodynamic Hamstring Mobilisation
Sciatic Neurodynamic slider performed on the right leg.
Active Knee Extension Test
Data will be recorded three times to then take a mean. Active knee extension test will be performed utilising a bubble inclinometer placed on the participants tibial tuberosity. Standardised hip flexion to 90 degrees as the active knee extension is performed.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1) and Day 7.
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Neuromuscular Manifestations →
University of Salford