A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Neurodynamic Sliders on Hamstring Responses in Footballers with Hamstring Tightness

Immediate and short-term effects of neurodynamic techniques on hamstring flexibility: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Good hamstring flexibility(HF) is crucial for sports performance and health, with injuries having an economic impact on healthcare and sports teams. Therefore, our objectives were to estimate the effect of neurodynamic techniques on HF and to compare the effect of these techniques with static stretching.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Cochrane, MEDLINE(via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science and Sportdiscus databases for RCTs comparing neurodynamic interventions with control intervention or with static stretching exercises for HF in adults with limited HF. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis with subgroup analyses according to the type of comparison group(control group or static stretching exercises) and total number of sessions. Furthermore, to reflect the variation in genuine therapy effects in different scenarios, including future patients, we calculated a 95% prediction interval(prI).

RESULTS

Thirteen trials were included, involving 624 participants. Pooled results showed a significant improvement in HF for immediate (SMD = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.59) and short-term effects (SMD = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.52). Subgroup analyses by type of comparison group showed that these techniques are more effective than the control group in the immediate and short term and than static stretching in the short term. Analyses by total sessions showed a significant increase in HF with a treatment of 1, 3, 10 and 12 sessions.

CONCLUSION

Neurodynamic techniques improve HF immediately and in the short term. Subgroup analyses by type of comparison group showed that these techniques are more effective than static stretching in the short term.

Effects of neurodynamic treatment on hamstrings flexibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To provide detailed information on the effectiveness of neurodynamic treatment on hamstrings flexibility.

METHODS

Systematic review in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Articles were included if the intervention followed a neurodynamic treatment and the study was a randomized clinical trial including at least one measurement related to hamstrings flexibility. Articles were independently screened for inclusion and data were extracted by two researchers. It was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42015020707).

RESULTS

Finally, 6 articles (n = 294 participants) were included. Neurodynamic treatment was compared with no treatment, placebo, and with other manual therapy techniques such as active and passive stretching, muscle inhibition and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Meta-analysis shows benefits of neurodynamic treatment for knee-extension range of motion (1 trials compared with no intervention, MD = -2.23, 95% CI = -3.02 to -1.44, and 4 trials compared to other techniques, MD = -0.40, 95% CI = -1.09 to 0.29, I² = 81.55%) and passive straight leg raise test measures (2 trials compared with no intervention, MD = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.78 to 2.74, I² = 0%, and 3 trials compared with other techniques MD = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.78 to 2.74, I² = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This review and meta-analysis shows the effectiveness of neurodynamic treatment on hamstrings flexibility compared with no intervention and other techniques.