Effect of median nerve neural mobilisation and cervical lateral glide on pain, disability and function in patients with nerve-related neck and arm pain: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Review written by Dr Julia Treleaven info

Key Points

  1. Cervical lateral glide (CLG) and nerve tissue mobilizations appear to be useful techniques in patients with nerve related arm pain for managing pain, although changes in disability are modest.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Patients frequently present with neuropathic pain radiating into the upper limb, neural tension signs, and functional limitations. This type of pain has significant impact on quality of life (1). Neurodynamic mobilization of the median nerve and specific techniques applied at the cervical spine, such as cervical lateral glide (CLG), have been advocated to improve neural mobility, reduce nerve mechanosensitivity and ultimately improve pain and disability (2,3). These are thought to be effective as they mobilize the nerve within surrounding structures or target structures, such as joints and muscles, to treat the mechanical interfaces limiting nerve mobility (3,4).

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of the cervical lateral glide (CLG) and median nerve neural mobilization (MNNM) on pain, function and disability in patients with nerve‐related neck and arm pain.

Patients frequently present with neuropathic pain radiating into the upper limb, neural tension signs, and functional limitations which can have significant impact on quality of life.
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Clinicians should use careful patient selection (i.e. patients with a clear neural component) as well as these treatments in conjunction with others to optimize benefits.

METHODS

  • To be included in this review, studies were only considered if they were a randomized controlled trial in adults with nerve‐related neck and arm pain that compared CLG and/or MNNM with either no treatment or other physical therapy techniques.
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