Effect of Neuro Dynamic Mobilization on Pain and Hand Grip Strength in Cervical Radiculopathy Patients

Abstract
Background: Cervical Radiculopathy (CR) is a patholog-ical condition of the cervical roots, which results in sensory and motor deficits. There is evidence supporting the influence of neural mobilization in relieving CR symptoms.
Aim of Study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of neuro dynamic mobilization on hand grip strength and pain in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy.
Methods: Thirty participants with cervical pain radiating to the upper limb were recruited from the Outpatient Depart-ments of El-Menshawy General Hospital from 16-11-2019 till 4-4-2019, their age ranged between 30-50 years. Patients were divided into three equal groups Group (1) received neural mobilization for ulnar, median, and radial nerves in addition to selected physical therapy program. Group (2) received neural mobilization for ulnar and median nerves in addition to the selected physical therapy program while Group (3) received only the selected physical therapy program for four weeks. Assessment of pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and hand grip using jamar hand-held dynamometer were done before and after treatment.
Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant decrease of pain scores within each group and increase in hand grip strength within each group post-treatment (p<0.05). Also, there was no a statistically significant difference in handgrip strength between the affected and unaffected sides after treatment in Group (1) which received median, ulnar, and radial nerves neurodynamic mobilization (p<0.05). On the opposite side, the results showed a statistically non-significant difference between the three groups regarding pain and hand grip strength after treatment (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Addition of radial nerve mobilization to ulnar and median neuro dynamic mobilization technique is effective in improving symptoms of chronic CR.