Effect of Nerve Flossing Technique on Tibial Nerve Conductivity and its Impact on Functionality in Tailors Using Mechanical Sewing Machine: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nerves of lower limbs including tibial nerve, are exposed to strenuous and chronic vibration exerted by chronic paddling and vibration effect of the mechanical sewing machine. Due to the vibration effect, there are changes like neuropathic pain in the tibial nerve course distribution. The nerve flossing technique is a recent technique, and that is mainly used to treat the patient with neuropathic pain. Aim: To know the effect of the nerve flossing technique on tibial nerve conductivity and its impact on functionality in tailors using a mechanical sewing machine. Method: Total 26 subjects were included in the study according to selection criteria. They were divided into two groups by using the randomised sampling method.13 subjects in each group and nerve conduction velocity, lower extremity functional scale and numerical pain rating scale were taken before and after the intervention in both groups. Group A: Nerve flossing technique with conventional physiotherapy was given with 15 repetition, for 3 sets with an interval of 5 minutes between each set for 5 days/week, 3 weeks. Group B: only conventional physiotherapy was given for 5 days/week, 3 weeks. Result: The paired t - test and unpaired t - test were used to analyze data for the statistics. In the intragroup & intergroup analysis, there was significant improvement seen in NCV, LEFS, and NPRS in both group A and group B. Conclusion: Nerve flossing technique along with conventional treatment is effective in the improvement in conductivity and functional status of a patient suffering from neuropathic pain in tailors.