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Published in: European Spine Journal 3/2011

01-03-2011 | Original Article

Outcomes differ between subgroups of patients with low back and leg pain following neural manual therapy: a prospective cohort study

Authors: Axel Schäfer, Toby Hall, Gerd Müller, Kathryn Briffa

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 3/2011

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Abstract

The objective is to determine if pain and disability outcomes of patients treated with neural mobilisation differ for sub-classifications of low back and leg pain (LB&LP). Radiating leg pain is a poor prognostic factor for recovery in patients with LBP. To improve outcome, a new pathomechanism-based classification system was proposed: neuropathic sensitization (NS), denervation (D), peripheral nerve sensitization (PNS) and musculoskeletal (M). Seventy-seven patients with unilateral LB&LP were recruited. Following classification, all subjects were treated seven times with neural mobilisation techniques. A successful outcome was defined as achieving a minimal clinically important change in pain intensity (11-point numerical rating scale), physical function (Roland Morris disability questionnaire) and global perceived change (7-point Likert scale: from 1 = “completely recovered” to 7 = “worse than ever”). The proportion of responders was significantly greater in PNS (55.6%) than the other three groups (NS 10%; D 14.3% and M10%). After adjusting for baseline differences, mean magnitude of improvement of the outcome measures were significantly greater in PNS compared to the other groups. Patients classified as PNS have a more favourable prognosis following neural mobilisation compared to the other groups.
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Metadata
Title
Outcomes differ between subgroups of patients with low back and leg pain following neural manual therapy: a prospective cohort study
Authors
Axel Schäfer
Toby Hall
Gerd Müller
Kathryn Briffa
Publication date
01-03-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 3/2011
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1632-2

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