Foam Roller Versus Self-Performed Neurodynamic Sliding in People With Hamstring Tightness and Low… (NCT07627581) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Foam Roller Versus Self-Performed Neurodynamic Sliding in People With Hamstring Tightness and Low Back Pain History
Spain30 participantsStarted 2026-06
Plain-language summary
This randomized crossover pilot clinical trial evaluated the effects of two self-administered physiotherapy techniques in people with hamstring tightness and a history of non-specific low back pain.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment sequences. One sequence performed self-myofascial release using a foam roller first, followed by a one-month washout period, and then performed a self-administered neurodynamic sliding technique. The other sequence performed the neurodynamic sliding technique first, followed by a one-month washout period, and then performed the foam roller intervention.
The main objective of the study was to compare the effects of both interventions on hamstring flexibility. Secondary outcomes included active knee extension range of motion, dynamic balance, pressure pain threshold, hamstring and gluteus maximus strength, and low back pain intensity.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Men and women aged 16 years or older.
* History of non-specific low back pain during the previous three months and/or recurrent or chronic non-specific low back pain.
* Limited hamstring flexibility, defined as hamstring tightness with 75 degrees or less of hip flexion with knee extension during the Straight Leg Raise test.
* No previous surgery involving the spine or lower limb.
* No hamstring stretching exercises performed in the weeks prior to participation.
* Ability and willingness to provide informed consent.
* Availability to perform both self-administered physiotherapy techniques according to the study protocol.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* History of hamstring muscle or tendon injury during the previous year.
* Lumbar or lower-limb neurological deficits.
* Lower-limb length discrepancy.
* Specific spinal pathology, including tumor, infection, fracture, or inflammatory disease.
* History of lumbar disc herniation.
* History of whiplash injury.
* Any contraindication to physical exercise.
* Menstrual pain at the time of assessment or intervention.
* Scheduled surgery during the intervention or follow-up period.
* History of cardiac disease.
* Incomplete or incorrectly completed questionnaires or missing assessment data.
* Refusal to complete part or all of the study intervention.
* Development of a low back pain episode during the study intervention.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Hamstring Flexibility Measured With the Straight Leg Raise Test
Timeframe: Baseline of each intervention period, 24 hours after completing each intervention, and 7 days after each intervention