Abstract :
Background and Purpose: There is some evidence to support the influence of neural mobilization on reduction of pain, improvement in range of motion and grip strength. An immediate improvement in grip strength has been established in individuals with a positive neural provocative test. However, its ability to cause an immediate change in grip strength, on individuals with cervical radiculopathy (CR) is unknown. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of neural mobilization on grip strength in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
Methods and Materials: A cohort study was conducted and forty participants with cervical pain radiating to unilateral upper limb, were assessed and selected through convenience sampling. Baseline handgrip strength of the affected limb was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. All patients received a single session of neural tissue mobilization in accordance with the affected nerve (median/ulnar). The handgrip strength was assessed immediately post intervention.
Statistical Analysis: The pretest and post-test data of handgrip strength were analysed using a Paired t-test following which, the p value was obtained for measuring statistical significance. Further the effect size was calculated using Cohen’s d by comparing the means. Results: Statistically significant improvement was observed in the handgrip strength (p Conclusion: Neural mobilization may be useful in providing an immediate change in hand grip strength in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
Keyword :
Grip, Muscle strength dynamometer, Musculoskeletal manipulations, Radiculopathy, Neurophysiology, Cervical spine