Foam Roller Versus Self-Performed Neurodynamic Sliding in People With Hamstring Tightness and Low Back Pain History

NCT07627581 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UPSA_HAM_LBP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized crossover pilot clinical trial evaluated the effects of two self-administered physiotherapy techniques in people with hamstring tightness and a history of non-specific low back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences. One sequence performed self-myofascial release using a foam roller first, followed by a one-month washout period, and then performed a self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique. The other sequence performed the neurodynamic sliding technique first, followed by a one-month washout period, and then performed the foam roller intervention. The main objective of the study was to compare the effects of both interventions on hamstring flexibility. Secondary outcomes included active knee extension range of motion, dynamic balance, pressure pain threshold, hamstring and gluteus maximus strength, and low back pain intensity.

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Hamstring Tightness

Keywords

foam roller; Self-myofascial release; Neurodynamic sliding; Hamstring flexibility; Low back pain; Crossover trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Hamstring Flexibility Measured With the Straight Leg Raise Test

  Hamstring flexibility will be assessed using the Straight Leg Raise test. The test will be performed with the participant in the supine position, and hip flexion range of motion will be measured in degrees using a goniometer. Higher values indicate greater hamstring flexibility.

  Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Hamstring Flexibility Measured With the Active Knee Extension Test

  Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention

• Change in Dynamic Balance Measured With the Y-Balance Test

  Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention

• Change in Pressure Pain Threshold

  Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention

• Change in Low Back Pain Intensity

  Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention

Study Arms (2)

Foam Roller First, Then Neurodynamic Sliding

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this sequence will first perform self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the hamstring muscles. After a one-month washout period, they will perform the self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique.

Other: Self-Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller; Other: Self-Administered Neurodynamic Sliding Technique

Neurodynamic Sliding First, Then Foam Roller

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this sequence will first perform the self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique. After a one-month washout period, they will perform self-myofascial release using a foam roller on the hamstring muscles.

Other: Self-Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller; Other: Self-Administered Neurodynamic Sliding Technique

Interventions

Self-Myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller OTHER

Participants will perform bilateral self-myofascial release of the hamstring muscles using a foam roller. The technique will be performed for 2 minutes per leg over three consecutive days.

Foam Roller First, Then Neurodynamic Sliding; Neurodynamic Sliding First, Then Foam Roller

Self-Administered Neurodynamic Sliding Technique OTHER

Participants will perform a seated self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique over three consecutive days. The intervention will consist of 3 sets of 20 repetitions, with 20 seconds of rest between sets.

Foam Roller First, Then Neurodynamic Sliding; Neurodynamic Sliding First, Then Foam Roller

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Men and women aged 16 years or older.
• History of non-specific low back pain during the previous three months and/or recurrent or chronic non-specific low back pain.
• Limited hamstring flexibility, defined as hamstring tightness with 75 degrees or less of hip flexion with knee extension during the Straight Leg Raise test.
• No previous surgery involving the spine or lower limb.
• No hamstring stretching exercises performed in the weeks prior to participation.
• Ability and willingness to provide informed consent.
• Availability to perform both self-administered physiotherapy techniques according to the study protocol.

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• History of hamstring muscle or tendon injury during the previous year.
• Lumbar or lower-limb neurological deficits.
• Lower-limb length discrepancy.
• Specific spinal pathology, including tumor, infection, fracture, or inflammatory disease.
• History of lumbar disc herniation.
• History of whiplash injury.
• Any contraindication to physical exercise.
• Menstrual pain at the time of assessment or intervention.
• Scheduled surgery during the intervention or follow-up period.
• History of cardiac disease.
• Incomplete or incorrectly completed questionnaires or missing assessment data.
• Refusal to complete part or all of the study intervention.
• Development of a low back pain episode during the study intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca: lead

Study Sites (1)

Clínica Universitaria Salus Infirmorum, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca

Madrid, Madrid, 28015, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Sara Perpiña Martínez, PT, PhD

  Pontifical University of Salamanca

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Sara Perpiña Martínez, PT, PhD

CONTACT

(+34) 910053661; sperpinama@upsa.es

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcomes assessor will be masked to the intervention sequence assigned to each participant. Due to the nature of the interventions, participants and the physiotherapist supervising the interventions cannot be masked.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator and Professor of Physiotherapy

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention sequences. In one sequence, participants will first perform self-myofascial release using a foam roller, followed by a one-month washout period, and then perform the self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique. In the other sequence, participants will first perform the self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique, followed by a one-month washout period, and then perform self-myofascial release using a foam roller.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 30, 2026
• First Posted: June 4, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)