Modified Sciatic Nerve Mobility Exercises on Hamstring Tightness

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hamstring Tightness

• Registration Number: NCT06604195
• Lead Sponsor: Gulf Medical University

Brief Summary

This study included collegiate students with tight hamstring muscles aged between 18-23 recruited from the Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE to compare the effectiveness of modified sciatic nerve mobility exercises and dynamic hamstring muscle stretching (DHMS) on hamstring length in collegiate students with hamstring muscle tightness.

Detailed Description

Hamstring Muscle Tightness is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects a significant proportion of the general population, particularly among collegiate students. Among the student population, sitting for longer periods during college hours is the primary cause of HMT. Evidence suggests that stretching with a combination of manual or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization are effective in improving hamstring muscle flexibility among individuals with HMT. A meta-analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in knee extension ROM and straight leg raise test measures following neural mobilization treatment which support the effectiveness of neural mobilization treatment in enhancing hamstring flexibility compared to muscle inhibition and stretching techniques . Especially, neural glides and neural stretching designed to restore the overall balance in the nervous system and can increase hamstring muscle flexibility, making them valuable interventions for individuals with HMT. A study on hamstring muscle flexibility in relation leg rotation suggest that hamstring stretching is enhancing the leg rotation and hamstring lengthening. Thus, dynamic stretching targeting the nerves and muscles is warranted for the treatment of tight hamstring in the general population, especially among collegiate students. This evidence provides input for the modification of dynamic sciatic nerve stretching to improve the effects of therapeutic interventions that focus on neuromuscular flexibility, joint ROM, and pain relief. Further evidence also suggests that nerve-directed stretching is superior to muscle-directed stretching in improving hamstring tightness in healthy adults. However, the role of nerve-directed dynamic stretching with hip rotation has not been addressed by previous interventional studies. Therefore, This study compared the effects of modified sciatic-nerve mobility exercises over dynamic hamstring muscle stretching on improving the hamstring length in collegiate students with HMT to determine the most effective approach for managing this condition.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-03-14
• Primary Completion: 2023-07-30
• Study Completion: 2023-08-16
• Study First Submitted: 2024-09-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-09-17
• Study First Posted: 2024-09-19
• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-11-06
• Last Update Posted: 2024-11-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 94

Inclusion Criteria

• Collegiate students with hamstring muscle tightness.
• Unilateral and/or bilateral hamstring muscle tightness.
• Students from the Gulf Medical University.

Exclusion Criteria

• History of intervertebral disc lesions and radiculopathies,
• Soft tissue injuries in the lower extremity.
• Spine surgery, lower extremity neurological complications.
• Students engaged in competitive sports.
• Students engaged in other interventional studies.
• Lower back pain from specific causes.
• Pelvic inflammatory conditions.
• Unwillingness to provide informed consent.
• Nutritional deficiencies.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Passive Knee Extension (PKE) ROM test	Baseline, post-treatment day 1, end of week 1, and week 2	To measure the hamstring length using Passive Knee Extension (PKE) ROM test, the participant was in supine position on the plinth, the hip and knee of the lower limb to be tested kept at 90° flexion.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gulf Medical University; 🇦🇪 Ajman, United Arab Emirates