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Acute Effects of Neurodynamic Stretching on Muscle-tendon Complex

NCT ID: NCT07304765

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

21 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-09-01

Study Completion Date

2024-06-15

Brief Summary

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Neurodynamic mobilization techniques are widely applied in rehabilitation and physiotherapy to enhance the mobility and function of peripheral nerves. Two main approaches are distinguished. Nerve tensioning and nerve flossing. They both involve proximal and distal joint movements to induce greater neural sliding while avoiding excessive tensile stress. However, contradictory findings on neurodynamic techniques highlighted the current lack of consensus regarding these techniques. Moreover, neurodynamic techniques are of interest for patients, it appeared it could also be applied in healthy individuals and more particularly in athletes. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present study was to determine the immediate effect of two neurodynamic mobilization techniques (flossing vs. tensioning) on the sciatic nerve and hamstring tissues using the shear wave elastography (SWE, a form of ultrasonography).

Detailed Description

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Neurodynamic mobilization techniques are frequently applied in rehabilitation settings to enhance the mobility and function of peripheral nerves, particularly in the management of neuropathic pain such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathies, or sciatica. Two main approaches are distinguished. Nerve tensioning involves maintaining the nerve stretched at the end of the joint range of motion with relatively limited excursion. It is similar to a static stretching intervention but with distal (ankle) and proximal (cervical) tensions. Nerve flossing (also termed gliding or sliders), consists of alternating proximal and distal joint movements to induce greater neural sliding while avoiding excessive tensile stress. However, contradictory findings on neurodynamic techniques highlighted the current lack of consensus regarding the acute effects of the different possible neurodynamic techniques on sciatic nerves, particularly in healthy tissues. Moreover, neurodynamic techniques are of interest for patients, it appeared it could also be applied in healthy individuals and more particularly in athletes. Performed in patients, healthy or athletes, no study has compared both tensioning or flossing techniques. Moreover, because these techniques involved nerve mobilisation, the intensity should have a main effect of its efficiency. Accordingly, the primary objective of the present study was to determine the immediate effect of two neurodynamic mobilization techniques (flossing vs. tensioning) on the sciatic nerve and hamstring tissues using the shear wave elastography (SWE). This method has been shown reliable to provide non-invasive real-time assessments of soft tissues elastic properties. The secondary aim was to determine the effects of stretching intensity (at the point of pain threshold or below).

Conditions

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Stretching Control Condition

Keywords

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stretching stiffness nerve muscle flexibility

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Control

Seated at rest during the same duration than the interventions

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Static stretching at pain threshold

Static stretching at pain threshold of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Maximal static stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

Static stretching was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Neurodynamic tensioning at pain threshold

Neurodynamic tensioning of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at pain threshold

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Maximal neurodynamic tensioning

Intervention Type OTHER

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Neurodynamic flossing at pain threshold

Neurodynamic flossing of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at pain threshold

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Maximal neurodynamic flossing

Intervention Type OTHER

Neurodynamic flossing was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Static stretching at submaximal intensity

Static stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Submaximal static stretching

Intervention Type OTHER

Static stretching was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Neurodynamic tensioning at submaximal intensity

Neurodynamic tensioning stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Submaximal neurodynamic tensioning

Intervention Type OTHER

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Neurodynamic flossing at submaximal intensity

Neurodynamic flossing stretching of the right hamstring muscles 5x60s with 20s rest at 10% below pain threshold

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Submaximal neurodynamic flossing

Intervention Type OTHER

Neurodynamic flossing was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Interventions

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Maximal static stretching

Static stretching was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Intervention Type OTHER

Submaximal static stretching

Static stretching was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. Static stretching mainly focused muscle-tendon tissues.

Intervention Type OTHER

Maximal neurodynamic tensioning

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Intervention Type OTHER

Submaximal neurodynamic tensioning

Neurodynamic tensioning was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Tensioning is maintaining the position.

Intervention Type OTHER

Maximal neurodynamic flossing

Neurodynamic flossing was applied at pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Intervention Type OTHER

Submaximal neurodynamic flossing

Neurodynamic flossing was applied 10% below pain threshold on hamstring muscles and repeated 5 times during 60s at the point of pain. During the neurodynamic conditions, head and ankle movement permitted to mobilize nerve tissues. Flossing is the alternation of these movements every 2 seconds.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* healthy
* physical active
* no injuries (lower limb or back pain) in the past 3 months

Exclusion Criteria

* Specific lower limb (hamstring) injuries in the past 2 years
* Not restraining activity 24h before participation
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Burgundy

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Nicolas Babault

Prof

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Nicolas Babault, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Universite Bourgogne Europe - Sport Science Faculty

Locations

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Universite Bourgogne Europe - faculty of sports sciences

Dijon, , France

Site Status

Countries

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France

Other Identifiers

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CEP2204

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id