COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF NEURAL GLIDING VERSUS TENSIONING NEURODYNAMICS ON MEDIAN NERVE EXTENSIBILITY IN ASYMPTOMATIC FLOOR CLEANERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst10641Keywords:
Median Nerve, Neural Gliding, Neural Tensioning, Neurodynamics, Upper Limb Tension TestAbstract
Repetitive upper limb activities commonly encountered in occupational settings can predispose individuals to peripheral nerve dysfunctions. Among these, floor cleaners are particularly at risk due to constant wrist and hand usage, which can lead to early, asymptomatic median nerve alterations. The purpose of this study is to detect early neural alterations in asymptomatic floor cleaners using the Upper Limb Tension Test (ULTT) and to compare the effects of neural gliding and tensioning techniques on median nerve extensibility. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 94 asymptomatic floor cleaners aged 25-40 years at SGT University’s Physiotherapy OPD. Participants were randomly assigned to either a neural tensioning group or a neural gliding group (n = 47 per group). Each group received three supervised intervention sessions per week over four weeks. Outcome measures included elbow extension range of motion (ROM) during ULTT, grip and pinch strength, pain pressure threshold (PPT), and two-point discrimination (2PD). Both groups showed statistically significant improvements across all measured parameters post-intervention (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the groups, indicating that both techniques yielded comparable outcomes. ULTT proves useful in identifying subclinical neural changes in individuals at occupational risk. Neural gliding and tensioning techniques were equally effective in enhancing median nerve extensibility, suggesting their suitability for preventive strategies in workplace physiotherapy.
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