EFFECTS of SPINAL MOBILIZATION with LEG MOVEMENT VERSUS SPINAL EXTENSION-ORIENTED MOBILIZATION on PAIN, and DISABILITY in PATIENTS with LUMBAR RADICULOPATHY

Abstract

Background: Either spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) or spinal extension-oriented mobilization (SEOM) has been proven to be effective for patients with lumbar radiculopathy (LR). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of SMWLM versus SEOM on pain, disability, straight leg raise (SLR), and 5-m walk test in patients with LR. Methods: Of the 58 patients screened for eligibility, 32 patients diagnosed with LR were randomly assigned to either intervention group, SWWLM versus SEOM, and 4 sessions were taken in 2 weeks by blinded physical therapists. Pain at rest and worst by visual analog scale (VAS), straight leg raise (SLR), 5-m walk test (5MWT), and disability by Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) were assessed by a blinded assessor at baseline and after each treatment session. Results: The patients in both groups showed significant improvement in VAS at rest, VAS at worst, SLR, 5MWT, and MODI ( 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between SMWLM and SEOM groups. Conclusion: The result demonstrated that both SMWLM and SEOM were effective in treating patients with LR regarding pain at rest and worst, SLR, 5MWT, and MODI.