Comparative Effects of Sciatic Nerve Flossing and Active Release Technique in Cyclists With Sciatica

NCT ID: NCT06827574

Last Updated: 2025-02-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 32 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-04-24
• Study Completion Date: 2025-02-15

Brief Summary

Thus the aim of my study is to determine the comparative effects of sciatic nerve flossing and active release technique on pain, flexibility, and functionality in lower limbs of cyclists with sciatica.

Detailed Description

This study investigates the comparative effects of Sciatic Nerve Flossing and Active Release Technique on pain, flexibility, and functionality in cyclists with sciatica. To compare the efficacy of Sciatic Nerve Flossing and Active Release Technique in reducing pain and improving functional performance in cyclists diagnosed with sciatica over a six-week period. A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 32 participants, aged 18 to 35, diagnosed with sciatica persisting for more than six weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A received Sciatic Nerve Flossing, while Group B underwent Active Release Technique. Pain levels were measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional performance was assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), and flexibility was evaluated via the Sit and Reach Test.

Conditions

Cyclists; Sciatica

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Sciatic nerve flossing technique

Group A 16 subjects were treated with Sciatic Nerve Flossing Technique.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Sciatic nerve flossing technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

Group A 16 subjects were treated with Sciatic Nerve Flossing Technique. Subjects were in sitting position. Nerve Flossing Technique was performed actively with the participant sitting on a chair. The participant was flex the knee of the target lower extremity backwards beside the chair, as far back as possible and flex the neck at the same time, holding both the flexed knee and neck in this position for 10 seconds. The participant in turn will extend the neck and the knee of the target lower extremity, abduct and then flex the hip until pain is felt and do not push beyond that point. This extended position was maintained for 10 seconds. The above procedure of Nerve Flossing Technique was repeated for 15 times, 3 sets with an interval of 5 minutes between each set. As the nerve becomes less sensitive, the participant can increase the stretching effect by dorsiflexion the ankle and extending the toes of the foot upward towards the shin.

Active Release Technique

Group B 16 subjects were treated with Active Release Technique

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Active Release Technique

Intervention Type: OTHER

Group B 16 subjects were treated with Active Release Technique. Subjects were in prone position. ART was performed actively by the participant lying on a bed. The participant was dorsiflex the foot of the target lower extremity, holding the dorsiflexion foot in this position for 10 seconds. The participant in turn was plantar-flexed the foot of the target lower extremity. This dorsiflexion position was maintained for 10 seconds. The above procedure of Active Release Technique was repeated for 15 times, 3 sets with an interval of 5 minutes between each set. As the muscles becomes more flexible, the participant can increase the flexibility effect by plantar flexing the foot.

Interventions

Sciatic nerve flossing technique

Group A 16 subjects were treated with Sciatic Nerve Flossing Technique. Subjects were in sitting position. Nerve Flossing Technique was performed actively with the participant sitting on a chair. The participant was flex the knee of the target lower extremity backwards beside the chair, as far back as possible and flex the neck at the same time, holding both the flexed knee and neck in this position for 10 seconds. The participant in turn will extend the neck and the knee of the target lower extremity, abduct and then flex the hip until pain is felt and do not push beyond that point. This extended position was maintained for 10 seconds. The above procedure of Nerve Flossing Technique was repeated for 15 times, 3 sets with an interval of 5 minutes between each set. As the nerve becomes less sensitive, the participant can increase the stretching effect by dorsiflexion the ankle and extending the toes of the foot upward towards the shin.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Active Release Technique

Group B 16 subjects were treated with Active Release Technique. Subjects were in prone position. ART was performed actively by the participant lying on a bed. The participant was dorsiflex the foot of the target lower extremity, holding the dorsiflexion foot in this position for 10 seconds. The participant in turn was plantar-flexed the foot of the target lower extremity. This dorsiflexion position was maintained for 10 seconds. The above procedure of Active Release Technique was repeated for 15 times, 3 sets with an interval of 5 minutes between each set. As the muscles becomes more flexible, the participant can increase the flexibility effect by plantar flexing the foot.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 18 to 30 years (16)
• Only male participants were included (15)
• Participates with Positive Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) Test (13)
• Athletes with positive slump test (15)
• Symptoms more than 6 weeks (16)

Exclusion Criteria

• Lower limb fracture(13)
• Musculoskeletal problems (radiculopathy, myopathy) (13, 14)
• Sciatica along with vascular disorders and diabetic neuropathy, sciatica due to tumor and fractures (15)
• Inflammatory arthritis (16)
• Previous surgical interventions on the lower limbs or spine (15)
• Neurological conditions affecting lower limb function (e.g., multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries) (13, 14)
• Patients currently undergoing physical therapy or other interventions for sciatica (15)
• Individuals with contraindications to physical activity or exercise due to health conditions (13, 14)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Farwa Imtiaz Ahmad, DPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

University of Lahore

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

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Other Identifiers

REC/RCR&AHS/24/0404

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id