Effects of a Mulligan Mobilisation in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Mulligan's mobilisation techniques are believed to increase the range of movement (ROM) in patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's SNAG technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure, and utilising a 3-D motion analysis system for measuring range of motion (ROM).

Detailed Description
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The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's SNAG technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure. For the interventional component of the study, 49 asymptomatic volunteers participated in it. Subjects were randomly assigned into either a treatment (SNAG) group (n=25), or a placebo (SHAM) group (n=24). The SNAG technique was applied on L3 and L4 spinal levels by an experienced manual therapist. SNAGs were performed with active flexion in sitting, 10 times at each level. The placebo-SHAM was similar to the SNAG without however applying the appropriate direction or force. Lumbar ROM was measured by a three dimensional electronic goniometer (Zebris CM20), before and after each technique. For the reliability component, five measurements in two different days (one week apart) were performed in 20 healthy subjects.

Official Title
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The Effects of the Mulligan Mobilisation Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects as Measured by the Zebris CMS20 3-D Motion Analysis System

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Application of the SNAG technique


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: asymptomatic health individuals Exclusion Criteria: Low back pain spinal pathology vascular or heart problems subjects taking anticoagulants

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: SNAG<br>SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist. | Other: Application of the SNAG technique<br>* SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.<br>* Other names: Mulligan mobilisation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Range of Movement (ROM) |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Low back pain, Manual therapy, Mulligan snag