Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background and Objectives: To investigate the effect of adding neural mobilization versus myofascial release to stabilization exercises on disability, pain, and lumbar range of motion in patients with lumbar spine fusion. Materials and Methods: The study design is a parallel-groups, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients who have undergone lumbar spine fusion were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group (I) received neural mobilization and stabilization exercises, group (II) received myofascial release and stabilization exercises, and group (III) received stabilization exercises only. Each group received three sessions per week for four weeks. Disability, pain, and back range of motion were assessed using Oswestry disability index, visual analogue scale and back range of motion device respectively, before starting treatment, after finishing treatment and one month later as a follow up. Results: Statistically significant differences were found among the groups regarding disability and pain (P<0.05) in favor of neural mobilization group, but there were no statistically significant differences among groups regarding lumbar range of motion (P>0.05). Regarding the within-group effect, there were statistically significant differences in all outcome measures after 1 month of treatment, as well as, after 1 month of follow up in each group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Patients who received neural mobilization or myofascial release combined with stabilization exercises had better improvement, in favor of the neural mobilization group, regarding disability and pain than patients who received stabilization exercises alone after lumbar spine fusion. No differences were found among the groups regarding lumbar range of motion

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