Sciatic Nerve Stiffness Using Two-Sequences of Lower Limb Neurodynamic Testing: A Shear Wave Elastography Study

NCT07136441 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/005897
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purposes of the study are:

1. 1.To measure differences in Sciatic nerve (SN) stiffness using shear-wave elastography (SWE) during two movement sequences of the lower limb neurodynamic test (LLNT) in low back pain with sciatica.
2. 2.To measure differences in Sciatic nerve stiffness using shear-wave elastography during two movement sequences of the lower limb neurodynamic test in control group.
3. 3.To compare difference in Sciatic nerve stiffness using shear-wave elastography during two movement sequences of the lower limb neurodynamic test between low back pain patients with sciatica and control group.

Conditions

Sciatic Nerve

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Shear Wave Velocity (SWV) measured in meters per second (m/s)

  Quantitative measurement of sciatic nerve stiffness during two different movement sequences of the Lower Limb Neurodynamic Test (LLNT). Higher SWV values indicate increased nerve stiffness.

  20 minutes, During a single assessment session at baseline

Study Arms (2)

Group A (Low Back Pain with Sciatica)

Thirty patients with low back pain with sciatica aged 25-40 years with unilateral leg pain for 3-12 months, lumbar disc herniation (L4-5) confirmed by MRI, and positive straight leg raising test. Participants will receive sciatic nerve tension tests using both proximal-to-distal and distal-to-proximal sequences with shear wave elastography assessment.

Diagnostic Test: Lower Limb Neurodynamic Test (LLNT) with Shear Wave Elastography

Group B (Control Group)

Thirty healthy control participants aged 25-40 years, free from symptoms of nerve irritation or compression, with normal neurological examination findings including normal reflexes, sensation, negative straight leg raising test, and normal motor strength. Participants will receive the same sciatic nerve tension tests in both sequences.

Diagnostic Test: Lower Limb Neurodynamic Test (LLNT) with Shear Wave Elastography

Interventions

Lower Limb Neurodynamic Test (LLNT) with Shear Wave Elastography DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants underwent sciatic nerve stiffness assessment using shear wave elastography during two distinct sequences of the lower limb neurodynamic test. Each participant received: Proximal-to-distal sequence: Starting with hip flexion, followed by knee extension, then ankle dorsiflexion with toe extension. Distal-to-proximal sequence: Starting with ankle dorsiflexion and toe extension, followed by knee extension, then hip flexion.

Also known as: Two-Sequence Neurodynamic Testing

Group A (Low Back Pain with Sciatica); Group B (Control Group)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Sixty subjects of both genders will be participated in this study. Their age will range between 25 to 40 years. They will receive verbal and written explanations for this study. If they decide to participate in this study, they will sign the consent form. The sample will be selected from the faculty of physical therapy outpatient clinics and at El kasr Elainy.

You may qualify if:

• Thirty participants ranging in age from 25 to 40 years from both genders with a diagnosis of low back pain with radiating leg pain and thirty control group.
• The main symptoms are low back pain with unilateral leg pain(sciatica) for 3-12 months for group A.
• Patients with lumbar disc herniation (L4-5) with diagnostic imaging as MRI for group A.
• Control group must be free from any symptoms of nerve irritation or compression, with normal neurological examination findings, including reflexes, sensation, negative straight leg raising and motor strength.

You may not qualify if:

• Diabetes mellitus.
• Any type of polyneuropathy
• Trauma of lumbar spine
• Previous history of back surgery
• Piriformis syndrome.
• Participants with conditions that reduce image quality on US imaging (thick gluteal subcutaneous fat tissue.
• Hip joint prosthesis.
• Professional athletes (Neto et al., 2024).
• Skin infection

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Cairo University

Giza, Egypt

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Eman Ahmed Abd Elmoez, PhD

  Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY CHAIR

• Najlaa Fathi Ewais, PhD

  Assistant Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Ebtisam Abdelkareem Ali, PhD

  Lecturer, Cairo university

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Hatem Mohamed El-Azizi, PhD

  Professor, Cairo university

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Manar Fawzy Mohammed Hussein, M.Sc

CONTACT

+20 120 140 8924; manar.fawzy@the.suezuni.edu.eg

Ebtisam Abdelkareem Ali, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 5, 2025
• First Posted: August 22, 2025
• Study Start: August 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 15, 2026
• Study Completion: February 28, 2026
• Last Updated: September 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

EG (1)