Effects of Neural Mobilization on Electrophysiological Measures-A Quasi Experimental Design

Abstract

The objective of the study was to identify effects of neural mobilization on electrophysiological measures of nerve (latency, velocity and amplitude) during and after neural mobilization in normal healthy individuals having normal neurodynamics and in patients diagnosed with median nerve entrapment neuropathy around the wrist joint (in altered neurodynamics of peripheral nerves). 30 normal healthy individuals and 30 patients with entrapment neuropathy of median nerve around the wrist joint were taken in the study. Pre neural mobilization, Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of median nerve were performed and electrophysiological measures like distal latency, amplitude and velocity were taken. Median nerve mobilization-ULTT 2 was performed on participants. During neural mobilization and after neural mobilization (immediate after neural mobilization, after 10 minutes and 30 minutes) electrophysiological measures of median nerve were taken again. The results of the study shows that neural mobilization has no significant effects on all electrophysiological measures of nerve during and after neural mobilization in normal healthy individuals having normal neurodynamics and in patients diagnosed with median entrapment neuropathy around the wrist joint. Hypothesized effects of neural mobilization, in promoting physiological functions of nerve, have no effects in promoting electrophysiological measures of nerve.