An interventional study of Neural Mobilization and Sham Neural Mobilization in Herniated Disc and Sciatica Due to Intervertebral Disc Disorder, sponsored by Longhua Hospital. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-07.
Sponsored by Longhua Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The objective of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate whether manual therapy combined with neural mobilization can improve pain, functional impairment, quality of life, inflammatory markers, and infrared thermographic findings in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The study subjects consist of 72 patients with lumbar disc herniation (aged 18-65 years, with unilateral lumbar radicular symptoms).
The primary questions it aims to address are:
The researchers compared:
to determine whether adding neural mobilization can provide additional therapeutic effects, including better pain relief, functional recovery, and improvement in related physiological indicators.
Participants will:
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Participants will be eligible for inclusion if they meet the following criteria:
Adults aged 18-65 years. Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation based on clinical symptoms and imaging findings.
Presence of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. Persistent symptoms despite initial conservative management. Ability to participate in the intervention protocol. Provided written informed consent before study enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:
Requirement for surgical intervention for lumbar disc herniation. Serious spinal conditions, including spinal infection, tumor, or fracture. Severe systemic diseases or acute inflammatory conditions. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Receipt of other interventions that may affect study outcomes during the study period.
Manual Therapy + Neural Mobilization
Behavioral: Neural Mobilization · Behavioral: Manual Therapy
Manual Therapy + Sham Neural Mobilization
Behavioral: Sham Neural Mobilization · Behavioral: Manual Therapy
Neural mobilization will be performed using neurodynamics techniques, aiming to improve neural activity and reduce neural mechanosensitivity. The intervention will be conducted over a period of three weeks.
The posture and duration of pseudo neural stretching therapy do not produce the expected neurodynamic effects.
Participants in both groups will receive standardized manual therapy targeting the lumbar spine. The intervention includes lumbar posterior-to-anterior (PA) mobilization and soft tissue mobilization techniques applied to the lumbar paraspinal muscles, gluteal muscles, piriformis, and proximal hamstrings. Manual therapy will be performed within a tolerable range without provoking symptom exacerbation and will be administered every other day for 3 weeks (a total of 11 sessions).
Change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Score
Time frame: Baseline and Week 3 (end of intervention)
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 3 (end of intervention)
Health-related quality of life (SF-12)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 3
Change in Infrared Thermographic Temperature Parameters
Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, and Week 3
Change in Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers (IL-6 and TNF-α)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 3
Plan to share: No
This study is completed, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Intervertebral Disc Displacement→
Longhua Hospital