Straight Leg Raise treatment for individuals with spinally referred leg pain: exploring characteristics that influence outcome

Abstract

The primary aim of this thesis was to assess the differences in response to a 3 x 1 minute SLR tensioner treatment between 3 sub-groups of individuals with spinally referred leg pain (somatic referred pain, radicular pain and radiculopathy). Preliminary studies of the 3 outcome measures were required prior to the main study. These were: validity of the method to measure nerve excursion using ultrasound imaging (UI) which was assessed in pig nerves; repeatability of sciatic nerve excursion during a side-lying modified SLR measured with UI in the posterior thigh, and repeatability of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and vibration thresholds (VT). The 3 outcome measures were repeatable and the sciatic nerve excursion technique was valid. Sixty seven participants were placed into one of the 3 sub-groups and further assessed to identify the presence of central sensitisation (CS). Five questionnaires were completed by participants to assess disability and psychological characteristics. Sciatic nerve excursion, PPT and VT were measured prior to and after a 3 x 1 minute SLR tensioner technique.

Date of Award	Jun 2014
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton