Comparison of effect of different sensitizing manoeuvres on Slump test in patients with low back pain having normal and overweight Body Mass Index

Introduction: Slump test, a neurodynamic test, is used to test mechanical movement of the neurological tissues and to test their sensitivity to mechanical stress. Various studies have found that neural tissue mobility differs in normal young adults with different body mass index (BMI). This study aimed at finding out whether the neural mobility is different in patients with different BMI having low back pain with or without radiculopathy. Objective: To compare the effect of different sensitizing manoeuvres on slump test in patients with low back pain having normal and overweight BMI. Material and methods: 30 patients having low back pain with or without radiculopathy were divided in two groups, one group (A) had patients with underweight and normal BMI and the other group (B) had overweight and obese subjects. Patients with conditions like infection, tumor, osteoporosis, spinal surgery and pregnancy were excluded. The outcome measure used was the popliteal angle. The readings were taken in four positions namely cervical spine neutral with ankle neutral, cervical spine neutral with ankle dorsiflexion, cervical spine flexion with ankle neutral, and cervical spine flexion with ankle dorsiflexion and were compared on both the sides. Thoracic and lumbar spine was maintained in flexion in all positions. Level of significance was kept at 5%. Results: The difference in the means of popliteal angle deficit score on both the right and left sides between groups A and B in all four positions was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Neural tissue extensibility is reduced in overweight and obese patients with low back pain compared to the patients having normal and underweight BMI.