Effect of simultaneous application of positional release technique and Maitland mobilization technique on sciatica: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) associated with sciatica is considered the primary cause of seeking medical and physical therapy advice. Treating sciatica symptoms is the main goal in the physical therapy practice, and the literature supports the use of manual therapy techniques in management of patients with sciatica. Objectives This study aimed to assess the effect of simultaneous application of positional release technique and grade-4 Maitland mobilization technique on sciatic nerve sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in patients with LBP associated with sciatica. Methods A randomized controlled trial was performed among 50 patients (mean age 41.86 ± 7.90) diagnosed with LBP with sciatica. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental “group A, n = 25” and control “group B, n = 25.” Patients were tested twice, before and after a 6-week period, during which group A received a traditional physical therapy program along with piriformis muscle positional release technique and grade-4 Maitland mobilization technique, while group B received a traditional physical therapy program along with a sham mobilization technique. Results Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the sciatic nerve sensory NCV in the post-test condition compared with the pre-test in group A with no significant difference (p > 0.05) in group B. Conclusion Simultaneous application of the piriformis muscle positional release technique and grade-4 Maitland mobilization technique on lower lumbar spine may improve sciatic nerve function in patients with LBP associated with sciatica.