Effects of spinal manipulation or mobilization as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy - a randomized clinical trial

Oct 11, 2026

Determine long-term clinical effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) or mobilization (MOB) combined with neurodynamic mobilization (NM) in lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (DHR). A parallel-group, single-blind randomized clinical trial recruited 40 participants with chronic DHR (≥3 months), allocated to SMT+NM or MOB+NM and treated twice weekly for 12 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks, focusing on pain and activity limitation at 12 weeks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objectives

Design

Setting and Participants

Interventions

Outcomes

Results

Conclusion

Trial Registration

Introduction

Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy ISSN: 1066-9817 (Print) 2042-6186 (Online) Journal [homepage: ](homepage: www.tandfonline.com/journals/yjmt20)[www.tandfonline.com/journals/yjmt20](homepage: www.tandfonline.com/journals/yjmt20) Eﬀects of spinal manipulation or mobilization as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial Musa Sani Danazumi, Jibril Mohammed Nuhu, She hu Usman Ibrahim, Mubarak Abu bakar Falke, Salim Abu bakar Rufai, Usman Garba Abdu, Isa Abu bakar Adamu, Musbahu Hamisu Usman, A bah Daniel Frederic & Abdulsalam Mohammed Yakasai To cite this article: Musa Sani Danazumi, Jibril Mohammed Nuhu, She hu Usman Ibrahim, Mubarak Abu bakar Falke, Salim Abu bakar Rufai, Usman Garba Abdu, Isa Abu bakar Adamu, Musbahu Hamisu Usman, A bah Daniel Frederic & Abdulsalam Mohammed Yakasai (2023) Eﬀects of spinal manipulation or mobilization as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 31:6, 408-420, DOI: 10.1080/10669817.2023.2192975 To link to this article: [https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2192975](https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2192975) View supplementary material Published online: 22 Mar 2023. View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at [https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=yjmt20](https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=yjmt20) JOURNAL OF MANUAL & MANIPULATIVE THERAPY 2023, VOL. 31, NO. 6, 408–420 [https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2192975](https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2023.2192975) |
Effects of spinal manipulation or mobilization as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial
Musa Sani Danazumi a, Jibril Mohammed Nuhub, Shehu Usman Ibrahimb, Mubarak Abubakar Falkec, Salim Abubakar Rufaid, Usman Garba Abdue, Isa Abubakar Adamuc, Musbahu Hamisu Usmanc, Abah Daniel Fredericf and Abdulsalam Mohammed Yakasaig
a Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, College of Sciences, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; bDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria; cDepartment of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Nigeria; dDepartment of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kudu, Nigeria; e Department of Physiotherapy, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Hospitals Management Board, Kano State, Nigeria; fSovereign Practice, Princess Park Health Centre, Eastbourne, UK; gMedical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board of Nigeria, North-West Zonal Office, Kano State, Nigeria | | | | --- | --- | --- | | ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the long-term clinical effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) or mobilization (MOB) as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization (NM) in the management of individuals with Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy (DHR) .
Design: Parallel group, single-blind randomized clinical trial.
Setting: The study was conducted in a governmental tertiary hospital.
Participants: Forty (40) participants diagnosed as having a chronic DHR (≥3 months) were randomly allocated into two groups with 20 participants each in the SMT and MOB groups. Interventions: Participants in the SMT group received high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation, while those in the MOB group received Mulligans’ spinal mobilization with leg movement. Each treatment group also received NM as a co-intervention, administered immediately after the SMT and MOB treatment sessions. Each group received treatment twice a week for 12 weeks.
Outcome Measures: The following outcomes were measured at baseline, 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the randomized clinical trial?

To determine the long-term clinical effects of spinal manipulation (SMT) or mobilization (MOB) when used as an adjunct to neurodynamic mobilization (NM) for individuals with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (DHR).

How were participants and interventions assigned in the study?

Forty participants with chronic DHR (≥3 months) were randomly allocated to SMT+NM or MOB+NM groups (20 each). SMT used high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation, while MOB used Mulligan’s spinal mobilization with leg movement; both groups received NM as a co-intervention immediately after the main session.

What were the key findings regarding outcomes over follow-up?

The MOB group improved significantly better than the SMT group across outcomes at all timelines (6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks) except specific deficits (sensory deficit at 52 weeks, and reflex/motor deficits at 12 and 52 weeks). Improvements were also clinically meaningful for neurodynamic testing and sensory deficits at 12 weeks, back pain intensity at 6 weeks, and activity limitation, functional mobility, and quality of life across follow-ups.

Oct 11, 2026

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