Effect of Neural Mobilization on Pain Intensity in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Ulnar nerve neuropathies are among the most frequently encountered entrapment neuropathies affecting the upper extremities. Cubital tunnel syndrome often presents with symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or discomfort in the ring and small fingers, as well as the dorsoulnar region of the hand. The best approach for managing cubital tunnel syndrome remains a topic of ongoing debate.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of neural mobilization (NM) on pain intensity in individuals with cubital tunnel syndrome.
Methods: This research utilized a randomized controlled trial design. Sixty participants, aged 30–50 years, with mild to moderate unilateral cubital tunnel syndrome, were randomly assigned to either a study group or a control group. The control group underwent conventional physical therapy alone, while the study group received both conventional physical therapy and neural mobilization. The interventions were carried out three times weekly over a four-week period. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Results: After four weeks of treatment, a significant difference in pain reduction was observed between the groups, with the neural mobilization group showing greater improvement (p < 0.001). The VAS mean ± standard deviation (M ± SD) scores were 75.67 ± 7.55 mm for the control group and 32.27 ± 3.08 mm for the study group (p < 0.001).Conclusions: Neural mobilization demonstrated superior effectiveness in alleviating pain compared to conventional physical therapy alone in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome. These findings support the inclusion of neural mobilization as a complementary treatment for nerve entrapment disorders. Additional research is recommended to explore its long-term outcomes and broader clinical applications.