Effects of a Mulligan Mobilisation in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Low Back Pain
• Interventions: Other: Application of the SNAG technique

• Registration Number: NCT00678093
• Lead Sponsor: University of Manchester

Brief Summary

Mulligan's mobilisation techniques are believed to increase the range of movement (ROM) in patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure, and utilising a 3-D motion analysis system for measuring range of motion (ROM).

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure. For the interventional component of the study, 49 asymptomatic volunteers participated in it. Subjects were randomly assigned into either a treatment (SNAG) group (n=25), or a placebo (SHAM) group (n=24). The "SNAG" technique was applied on L3 and L4 spinal levels by an experienced manual therapist. SNAGs were performed with active flexion in sitting, 10 times at each level. The placebo-SHAM was similar to the SNAG without however applying the appropriate direction or force. Lumbar ROM was measured by a three dimensional electronic goniometer (Zebris CM20), before and after each technique. For the reliability component, five measurements in two different days (one week apart) were performed in 20 healthy subjects.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2005-01
• Primary Completion: 2005-06
• Study Completion: 2005-06
• Status Verified: 2008-05
• Study First Submitted: 2008-05-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-05-13
• Last Update Submitted: 2008-05-13
• Study First Posted: 2008-05-15
• Last Update Posted: 2008-05-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 49

Inclusion Criteria

• asymptomatic
• health individuals

Exclusion Criteria

• Low back pain
• spinal pathology
• vascular or heart problems
• subjects taking anticoagulants

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
SNAG	Application of the SNAG technique	SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Range of Movement (ROM)	6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre for Rehabilitation Science; 🇬🇧 Manchester, United Kingdom