Contralateral Neural Tissue Mobilization for Cervical Radiculopathy

Sponsor
Evidence In Motion
Study ID
NCT07248943
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Cervical Radiculopathy
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Pain
  • Radicular Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Contralateral Neural Tissue Mobilization (NTM) — BEHAVIORAL
    A standardized 8-10 minute contralateral NTM protocol will be performed and includes: 1. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization (ULNT1a pattern) with: * Cervical side flexion toward the non-symptomatic side * Movement to the point of resistance * 1-2 seconds of gentle engagement followed by release * Repeated 15 times 2. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization with: * Neutral cervical position * Repeated 15 times 3. Supine passive neurodynamic mobilization with: * Cervical side flexion away from the non-symptomatic side * Repeated 15 times 4. Sitting active neurodynamic exercises (contralateral UE) * 10 active "sliders" * 10 active "tensioners" * 10 additional active "sliders" The neurodynamic pattern follows the ULNT1a sequence: shoulder abduction to 90°, external rotation, forearm supination, wrist/finger extension with ulnar deviation, and progressive elbow extension. Single treatment session delivered in-person by a trained physical therapist.

Study Details

Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common form of peripheral neuropathic pain characterized by neck and upper extremity symptoms in a dermatomal distribution. Neural tissue mobilization (NTM) is an intervention shown to provide benefit for neuropathic pain presentations; however, some patients are unable to tolerate direct treatment of the symptomatic limb due to allodynia, hyperalgesia, or fear of movement. Early evidence from lower-extremity research suggests that contralateral NTM may produce therapeutic effects similar to ipsilateral treatment, but this approach has not been investigated in individuals with upper-extremity symptoms. This exploratory case series aims to examine the immediate effects of contralateral NTM in adults presenting to outpatient physical therapy with CR. Participants will undergo pre- and post-treatment assessments of pain intensity, disability, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain distribution, and neurodynamic mechanosensitivity. Findings will provide preliminary evidence regarding whether contralateral NTM may serve as a viable treatment option when direct symptomatic limb treatment is not tolerated.

Key Dates

First listed
Nov 25, 2025
Start date
Dec 31, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2026
Completion
Sep 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Contralateral Neural Tissue Mobilization
    Participants with unilateral cervical radiculopathy will receive a single treatment session of neural tissue mobilization applied to the contralateral (uninvolved) upper extremity. The intervention is delivered by licensed physical therapists with post-professional training in pain science and neurodynamic techniques.

Primary Outcome Measure

Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) [ Time Frame: Pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention (same session). ]

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