Effects of Lower Extremity Neural Mobilization on Gait Biomechanics and Spinal Alignment

NCT07491432 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: neuralmobilization
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized single-blinded trial aimed to compare the immediate effects of lower extremity neural slider and neural tensioner exercises on gait parameters and spinal alignment in sedentary young adults. Sixty healthy sedentary individuals aged 18-30 years were randomly assigned to receive either a neural slider or neural tensioner intervention. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed using a validated smartphone-based gait analysis application, and spinal alignment angles were measured with a bubble inclinometer before and immediately after a single exercise session. The primary outcome was the acute change in gait-related parameters, and secondary outcomes included changes in spinal alignment and pelvic inclination angles.

Conditions

Healhty; Sedanter

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Gait Speed

  Gait speed expressed in meters per second (m/s), calculated as total walking distance divided by time during a 1-minute walk on a straight, level surface. Measurements were obtained using the OneStep smartphone application, with the smartphone securely attached to the lateral aspect of the thigh to capture inertial motion data. Speed was derived from step detection and stride timing algorithms. The outcome represents the change from pre- to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minutes after the intervention

• Gait Cadence

  Cadence expressed in steps per minute (steps/min), calculated as the total number of detected steps divided by walking time. Step events were identified through thigh-mounted inertial sensor data captured by the OneStep application during a 1-minute walking trial. The outcome represents the change from pre- to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minutes after the interventio

• Step Length

  Step length expressed in centimeters (cm), defined as the linear distance between the initial contact of one foot and the subsequent initial contact of the contralateral foot. Step length was estimated using validated gait algorithms based on stride time and thigh kinematics recorded by the OneStep application. The outcome represents the change from baseline to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minutes after the intervention

• Stride Length

  Stride length expressed in centimeters (cm), defined as the linear distance between two successive initial contacts of the same foot. Stride length was derived from inertial sensor data captured from the thigh during standardized walking. The outcome represents the change between pre- and post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minute after interventions.

• Step Length Asymmetry

  ep length asymmetry expressed as a percentage (%), calculated as the normalized difference between right and left step lengths during walking. Values were automatically derived from spatiotemporal gait data recorded by the thigh-mounted smartphone. The outcome represents the change from pre- to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minute later interventions

• Step Width

  step width expressed in centimeters (cm), defined as the mediolateral distance between the center points of the heels during consecutive foot contacts. This parameter was estimated using validated spatial gait algorithms within the OneStep application. The outcome represents the change from baseline to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minutes later interventions

• Single Support Time

  Right single support time expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle (%), defined as the duration during which only the investigated limb is in contact with the ground. Gait cycle phases were automatically detected using thigh-based inertial motion data. The outcome represents the change from pre- to post-intervention.

  baseline and 5 minutes after interventions

• Double Support Time

  Double support time expressed as a percentage of the gait cycle (%), defined as the duration during which both feet are simultaneously in contact with the ground. This parameter was calculated using gait phase detection algorithms from inertial sensor data recorded during walking. The outcome represents the change between pre- and post-intervention assessments.

  baseline and 5 minutes after interventions

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Pelvic Inclination Angle

  baseline and 5 minutes after interventions

• Cervical Lordosis Angle

  baseline and 5 minutes later interventions

• Thoracic Kyphosis Angle

  baseline and 5 minutes after interventions

• Lumbar Lordosis Angle

  baseline and 5 minutes after interventions

Study Arms (2)

Neural Slider Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Lower Extremity Neural Slider Exercise

Other: Lower Extremity Neural Slider Exercise

Neural Tensioner Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Lower Extremity Neural Tensioner Exercise

Other: Lower Extremity Neural Tensioner Exercise

Interventions

Lower Extremity Neural Slider Exercise OTHER

A lower extremity neural slider technique applied in supine position. The movement sequence involved alternating cervical extension with simultaneous knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion, followed by cervical flexion combined with knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion. The intervention was performed for a total of 3 minutes, consisting of 3 sets of 30 repetitions (90 repetitions total). Each repetition included a 1-second hold at end range. The technique was administered by a physiotherapist under standardized conditions.

Neural Slider Group

Lower Extremity Neural Tensioner Exercise OTHER

A lower extremity neural tensioner technique applied in supine position. The movement sequence involved simultaneous cervical flexion with knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion to increase neural tension, followed by return to neutral position with cervical extension and knee flexion. The intervention lasted 3 minutes and consisted of 3 sets of 30 repetitions (90 repetitions total), with a 1-second hold at end range. The technique was administered by a physiotherapist under standardized conditions.

Neural Tensioner Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Sedentary lifestyle (no regular structured exercise within the past 6 months)
• No history of lower extremity or spinal surgery
• No diagnosed neurological disorder
• No diagnosed musculoskeletal disorder
• No current lower extremity pain or functional limitation
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of hamstring injury
• Current low back, hip, or knee pain
• Known peripheral nerve injury or neurological condition
• Any condition limiting safe participation in neural mobilization exercises
• Inability to complete the intervention protocol
• Withdrawal from the study before post-intervention assessment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir Democracy University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Izmir Democracy University

Izmir, Konak, 35290, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessments were performed by a physiotherapist who was blinded to group allocation
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof.

Model Details: This study used a parallel-group randomized design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the neural slider group or the neural tensioner group using a sealed-envelope method. Each participant received a single session of the allocated neural mobilization technique. Outcome assessments were performed before and immediately after the intervention. The two groups were compared in terms of acute changes in gait parameters and spinal alignment.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2026
• First Posted: March 24, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 23, 2024
• Study Completion: April 25, 2024
• Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)