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Enrolling by invitationNCT07772674Neural GlidersUpdated Aug 21, 2026

Neural Gliders With and Without ESWT for Deep Gluteal Syndrome

An interventional study of Group A= Neural Gliders with ESWT and Group B= Neural Gliders without ESWT in Deep Gluteal Syndrome, sponsored by University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 25 Months to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-21.

Sponsored by University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
46
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Months to 45 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing Neural Gliders with and without Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in patients with Deep Gluteal Syndrome. A total of 44 participants are divided equally into two groups: Group A receives neural gliders, ESWT, and conventional physiotherapy, while Group B receives neural gliders with conventional physiotherapy only. The study evaluates changes in pain, functional disability, and nerve mechano-sensitivity using NPRS, ODI, LEFS, Slump Test, FAIR Test, and SLR. Its aim is to determine whether adding ESWT provides greater clinical improvement than neural gliders alone.

Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of Neural Gliders with and without Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in patients with Deep Gluteal Syndrome (DGS). A total of 44 participants will be randomly divided into two equal groups of 22. Group A will receive neural gliding exercises combined with ESWT and conventional physiotherapy, while Group B will receive neural gliding exercises with conventional physiotherapy only. The conventional treatment includes a hot pack and piriformis stretching. The main outcomes are pain intensity, functional disability, lower-limb function, and nerve mechano-sensitivity, assessed using the NPRS, ODI, LEFS, Slump Test, FAIR Test, and Straight Leg Raise (SLR). The intervention is planned for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and the study aims to determine whether adding ESWT to neural gliders provides greater improvement in pain, function, and nerve mobility than neural gliders alone.

02

Conditions studied

  • Deep Gluteal Syndrome

Keywords

  • Neural Gliders
  • Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
  • Deep Gluteal Syndrome
  • Piriformis Muscle
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Months to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals aged 25 to 45 years, including both genders 55
  • Positive FAIR, Active Piriformis Test, Seated Piriformis Stretch Test 56,6,57
  • NPRS pain score ≥ 3/10 55
  • For a minimum of four weeks, there has been unilateral discomfort in the buttock, with or without accompanying posterior thigh pain, exacerbated by sitting 58

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous surgery involving the ipsilateral hip, pelvis, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac joint 34
  • Women who were pregnant or nursing were excluded 59
  • Medical conditions such as tumors or fractures 60
  • Neuromuscular disorders that impair normal lumbopelvic morphology or progressive neurologic disease 60
  • Disc pathologies identified through radiological imaging 17
  • Pathologies of the hip joint and soft tissues 17
  • Recent trauma history 17
  • History of polyneuropathy, sciatic nerve injury, rheumatological disease, or malignancy 17
  • Corticosteroid therapy or opioid-derived analgesia for pain during the previous month 17
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
46 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    GROUP A (Neural Gliders with ESWT)

    Arm Description: Participants in Group A will receive neural gliding exercises combined with radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) along with standardized conventional physiotherapy. Neural gliders will be performed in supine lying with the hip flexed, while ESWT will be applied over the piriformis/deep gluteal region. Neural gliding will be performed as 2 sets of 10 repetitions, and ESWT will be delivered at 2000 shocks per session with a frequency of 10-15 Hz. Treatment will be given 4 sessions per week for 6 weeks, with both groups also receiving a hot pack and piriformis stretching.

    Other: Group A= Neural Gliders with ESWT

  • Other
    GROUP B (Neural Gliders Without ESWT)

    Arm Description: Participants in Group B will receive Neural Gliding exercises without ESWT, along with standardized conventional physiotherapy. Neural gliders will be performed in supine lying with the hip flexed, targeting the piriformis region and sciatic nerve pathway. The exercises will be performed as 2 sets of 10 repetitions, with treatment provided 4 sessions per week for 6 weeks. Conventional physiotherapy will include a 10-minute hot pack and piriformis stretching, with no ESWT applied in this group

    Other: Group B= Neural Gliders without ESWT

Interventions

  • OtherGroup A= Neural Gliders with ESWT

    We use Neural Gliders in Deep Gluteal Syndrome because the sciatic nerve can become irritated or restricted as it passes through the deep gluteal region. Neural gliding produces gentle alternating movements that allow the nerve to slide within its pathway, helping improve nerve mobility, reduce mechano-sensitivity, improve circulation around the nerve, and decrease pain and functional limitation. We combine Neural Gliders with ESWT because the two interventions target different components of the problem. Neural gliders mainly address nerve mobility and sensitivity, while ESWT is intended to act on the surrounding deep gluteal/piriformis tissues by helping reduce pain, improve blood flow, decrease tissue tightness, and stimulate healing.

  • OtherGroup B= Neural Gliders without ESWT

    We use neural gliders to improve sciatic nerve mobility and reduce nerve mechano-sensitivity. We add ESWT because it may reduce pain, improve circulation, and treat tight or restricted deep gluteal tissues. Therefore, the combination may address both the nerve and the surrounding soft tissues more effectively."

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Universal Gonimeter

    A Universal Goniometer is a simple clinical instrument used to measure joint range of motion in degrees. It consists of a central axis or fulcrum with one stationary arm and one movable arm, which are aligned with anatomical landmarks during measurement. In this study, the goniometer is used during the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test to record the angle at which pain, tightness, or neural symptoms appear. A lower SLR angle indicates greater restriction or nerve mechano-sensitivity, while an increased angle after treatment suggests improved nerve mobility and functional recovery.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

  2. NPRS

    The NPRS is simple 0-10 scale used to measure pain intensity. Patients rate their pain where 0=no pain and 10=worst possible pain. In your study, it helps track changes in buttock and leg caused by deep gluteal syndrome. A score reduction after treatment indicates improvement. Clinically, a change of ≥ 2 points is considered meaningful

    Time frame: 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. LEFS

    The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is a patient-reported outcome measure utilized to evaluate functional impairments in individuals with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders .

    Time frame: 6 WEEKS

06

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Management and technology Sialkot Campus
    Sialkot, Punjab Province 51070, Pakistan
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Martin HD, Reddy M, Gomez-Hoyos J. Deep gluteal syndrome. J Hip Preserv Surg. 2015 Jul;2(2):99-107. doi: 10.1093/jhps/hnv029. Epub 2015 Jun 6. PubMed 27011826 ↗
  • 3. Hopayian, K., et al. (2020-2024). Clinical features of piriformis syndrome. European Spine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06543
  • 2. Vanti, C., et al. (2023). Deep gluteal syndrome: Clinical features and management. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor. (search source: Wiley Online Library)
  • 1. Metikala, S., & Sharma, V. (2022). Deep gluteal syndrome: Sciatic nerve entrapment. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07772674
Lead sponsor
University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 19, 2026
Start date
Aug 15, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Aug 25, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Sep 30, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 21, 2026

Study contacts

Hamza Zahid, MS OMPT
principal investigator · University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan
Danyal Ahmad, PhD Scholar
study chair · University of Management and Technology Sialkot Pakistan

Oversight

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

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