Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Discogenic sciatica is one of the most common patient complaints expressed to emergency physicians worldwide.Objectives:This study was conducted to investigate and compare the response of cupping therapy, passive neurodynamic mobilization program and cupping therapy combined with passive neurodynamic mobilization in treatment of patients with discogenic sciatica. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients were enrolled in this study from the outpatient physical therapy clinic at Faculty Physical Therapy,Kafrelsheik University within 1 year.This study is one shot study. Participants were randomly allocated into: Passive neurodynamic mobilization (PVM; n=15), cupping therapy (TC; n=15), and cupping therapy combined with neural mobilization (COM; n=15). Participants were assessed for pain pressure threshold at UB-25, GB-30, UB-37 and UB-57 acupuncture points, Fwave and H-reflex latencies, straight leg raising (SLR) ROM and disability by Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ), immediately prior to and following the assigned intervention. Results: Regarding algometric measures, only combined group showed total immediate improvement (P=0.000). When looking to SLR ROM, all groups show statistically significant improvements with cupping group have lowest improvement (P=0.023,13.43%).there is no statistically significant difference within and between groups regarding nerve conduction latencies (P=.0.746). There is statistically significant difference in ODQ values among groups (P=0.009) with only statistical improvement in neurodynamic group (P=0.000). Conclusions: There was no superior response for cupping therapy on neurodynamic mobilization in treatment of discogenic sciatica patients.Also,cupping therapy combined with neurodynamic mobilization in treatment of those patients has no added response

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