Nervmobilisering som sjukgymnastisk behandlingsmetod
Background: Nerve mobilisation is a controversial subject which has undergone great development in recent decades. Nerve mobilisation is based on a concept of both examination and treatment of the nervous system. Purpose: To study nerve mobilisation as a treatment in physical therapy with emphasis on evidence regarding the method. Method: A literature review. The search was made through the databases: PubMed/Medline, Academic search, PEDro and CINAHL/webspirs. The search terms used in different compositions were: nerve, neural, mobilisation/mobilization, mobilizing, gliding and neurodynamics. The quality of the studies included were assessed using the PEDro Scale and evidence were assessed by using the SBU guidelines. Results: 13 articles were included in the study. The quality of the studies varied. The subjects in the studies were categorized into eight different groups. The level of evidence for nerve mobilisation varied between the groups. There is some evidence that nerve mobilisation might be beneficial in the treatment of peripheral nerve entrapment in the upper extremity and cervico- brachial pain syndrome. There is no evidence that nerve mobilisation would be beneficial after surgery in the lumbar spine. In the remaining five categories there is not enough data for an evidence assessment. Conclusion: Nerve mobilisation might be a promising treatment for some patient categories but the level of evidence is insufficient. There is a need for more studies with high scientific quality to determine which patients could benefit from treatment with nerve mobilisation.