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ABSTRACT
- Background: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) arises from nerve root compression in the cervical spine, leading to significant pain and functional limitations. Although cervical strengthening exercises are commonly prescribed, neural mobilization has been proposed as a more targeted therapeutic approach that directly addresses nerve tension.
- Objective: This study aims to compare the therapeutic efficacy of neural mobilization techniques with conventional cervical strengthening exercises in reducing pain, improving range of motion (ROM), and restoring functional abilities in CR patients.
- Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with CR were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A underwent neural mobilization therapy, while Group B received cervical strengthening exercises. Assessments were performed at baseline, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS).
- Results: Group A showed significantly greater reductions in pain, improvements in function, and ROM compared to Group B, with statistical significance observed at all intervals (p < 0.05).
- Conclusion: Neural mobilization demonstrated superior efficacy compared to cervical strengthening exercises, particularly in pain reduction and functional improvement. This suggests that neural mobilization should be considered a first-line treatment for patients with CR.
- Keywords: Cervical Radiculopathy (CR), Neural Mobilization, Pain Reduction, Functional Improvement.