Effects of a Mulligan Mobilisation in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects (Mulligan)

The Effects of the Mulligan Mobilisation Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) in the Lumbar Flexion Range of Asymptomatic Subjects as Measured by the Zebris CMS20 3-D Motion Analysis System

Mulligan's mobilisation techniques are believed to increase the range of movement (ROM) in patients with low back pain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure, and utilising a 3-D motion analysis system for measuring range of motion (ROM).

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical effects of Mulligan's "SNAG" technique on lumbar flexion ROM. The secondary aim was to measure the intra- and inter-day reliability of lumbar ROM employing the same procedure. For the interventional component of the study, 49 asymptomatic volunteers participated in it. Subjects were randomly assigned into either a treatment (SNAG) group (n=25), or a placebo (SHAM) group (n=24). The "SNAG" technique was applied on L3 and L4 spinal levels by an experienced manual therapist. SNAGs were performed with active flexion in sitting, 10 times at each level. The placebo-SHAM was similar to the SNAG without however applying the appropriate direction or force. Lumbar ROM was measured by a three dimensional electronic goniometer (Zebris CM20), before and after each technique. For the reliability component, five measurements in two different days (one week apart) were performed in 20 healthy subjects.

SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.

SNAG is a painless and gentle manual technique, mimicking a slide with concurrent active movement, performed in the lumbar spine (in this study) by an experienced manual therapist-physiotherapist.

Inclusion Criteria: asymptomatic health individuals Exclusion Criteria: Low back pain spinal pathology vascular or heart problems subjects taking anticoagulants

Moutzouri M, Billis E, Strimpakos N, Kottika P, Oldham JA. The effects of the Mulligan Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) mobilisation in the lumbar flexion range of asymptomatic subjects as measured by the Zebris CMS20 3-D motion analysis system. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2008 Oct 1;9:131. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-9-131.