physioscience 2005; 1(1): 19-25
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-858140
Originalarbeit

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Untersuchung der klinischen Effektivität eines modifizierten neuralen Provokationstests bei Patienten mit zervikobrachialen Schmerzen

Investigation of the Efficacy of a Modified Neural Provocation Test in Patients with Cervicobrachial PainB. van der Heide1 , C. Bourgoin1 , G. Eils1 , B. Garnevall1 , M. Blackmore1
  • 1School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia
Further Information

Publication History

eingereicht: 8.1.2005

angenommen: 27.1.2005

Publication Date:
26 April 2005 (online)

Zusammenfassung

Eine modifizierte Version des neuralen Provokationstest via N. medianus wurde bei 12 Patienten mit einseitigen zervikobrachialen Schmerzen durchgeführt. Der Ellbogenextensionswinkel wurde zum Zeitpunkt des Schmerzbeginns, des Überschreitens der Schmerztoleranzgrenze und des Beginns der Muskelaktivität in den Mm. trapeziis und M. biceps brachii in beiden Armen gemessen. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Ermittlung von Schmerzbeginn und Schmerztoleranz reliabel war, die der Muskelaktivitäten nicht. Die Schmerzen traten im symptomatischen Arm wesentlich früher ein als im gesunden Arm und das Bewegungsausmaß war stärker eingeschränkt. Bei den meisten Patienten konnte man deren exakte Symptome reproduzieren. Aus den Ergebnissen ergibt sich der Schluss, dass der modifizierte Provokationstest via N. medianus zur Untersuchung der Mechanosensitivität der Neuralstrukturen in der oberen Extremität dient.

Abstract

A modified version of the NPT was used in 12 patients with unilateral cervicobrachial pain. The angles of elbow extension at onset of pain threshold and pain tolerance and the onset of muscle activity in trapezius and biceps muscle were measured in both arms. The results showed that the pain onsets were reliable, but not the muscle onsets. The pain onsets occurred earlier in the symptomatic arm than in the asymptomatic arm and the range of elbow extension was further restricted. In most patients their exact symptoms were reproduced. It can be concluded that the modified version of the neural provocation test via median nerve is a mean to assess the mechanosensitivity of neural tissues in the upper limb.

Literatur

  • 1 Balster S M, Jull G A. Upper trapezius muscle activity during the brachial plexus tension test in asymptomatic subjects.  Man Ther. 1997;  2 144-149
  • 2 Bell A. The upper limb tension test - bilateral straight leg raising - a validating manoeuvre for the upper limb tension test. Dalziel BA, Snowsill JC Proceedings of the Fifth Biennial Conference of the Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia 1987
  • 3 Bove G M, Light A R. The nervi nervorum - Missing link for neuropathic pain?.  Pain Forum. 1997;  6 181-190
  • 4 Bragard K. Die Nervendehnung als diagnostisches Prinzip ergibt eine Reihe neuer Nervenphänomene.  Münchener Medizinische Wochenschrift. 1929;  76 1999-2003
  • 5 Butler D, Gifford L. The concept of adverse mechanical tension in the nervous system. Part 1: Testing for „dural tension”.  Physiotherapy. 1989;  75 622-628
  • 6 Butler D S. Mobilisation of the nervous system. Melbourne; Churchill Livingstone 1991
  • 7 Butler D S. The Sensitive nervous system. Melbourne; Noigroup 2000
  • 8 Byng J. Overuse syndromes of the upper limb and the upper limb tension test: a comparison between patients, asymptomatic keyboard workers and asymptomatic non-keyboard workers.  Man Ther. 1997;  2 157-164
  • 9 Coppieters M WJ, Stappaerts K H, Everaert D GM. et al . A qualitative assessment of shoulder girdle elevation during the upper limb tension test 1.  Man Ther. 1999;  4 33-38
  • 10 Coppieters M W, Stappaerts K H, Everaert D G. et al . Addition of test components during neurodynamic testing: Effect on range of motion and sensory responses.  Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy. 2001;  31 226-237
  • 11 Coppieters M W, Stappaerts K H, Staes F F. et al . Shoulder girdle elevation during neurodynamic testing: an assessable sign?.  Man Ther. 2001;  6 88-96
  • 12 Coppieters M, Stappaerts K, Janssens K. et al . Reliability of detecting „onset of pain” and „submaximal pain” during neural provocation testing of the upper quadrant.  Physiotherapy Research International. 2002;  7 146-156
  • 13 Coppieters M W, Stappaerts K H, Wouters L L. et al . Aberrant protective force generation during neural provocation testing and the effect of treatment in patients with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain.  J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003;  26 99-106
  • 14 Coppieters M W, Stappaerts K H, Wouters L L. et al . The immediate effects of a cervical lateral glide treatment technique in patients with neurogenic cervicobrachial pain.  Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy. 2003;  33 369-378
  • 15 Coveney B. The upper limb tension test response in subjects with a clinical presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Proceedings of the Tenth Biennial Conference of the Manipulative Physiotherapists Association of Australia. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Manipulative Physiotherapists Association of Australia 1997
  • 16 Edgar D, Jull G, Sutton S. The relationship between upper trapezius muscle length and upper quadrant neural tissue extensibility.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1994;  40 99-103
  • 17 Eliav E, Benoliel R, Tal M. Inflammation with no axonal damage of the rat saphenous nerve trunk induces ectopic discharge and mechanosensitivity in myelinated axons.  Neuroscience Letters. 2001;  311 49-52
  • 18 Elvey R L. Painful restriction of shoulder movement - a clinical observation study. Proceedings of Disorders of the Knee, Ankle and Shoulder. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia 1979
  • 19 Elvey R L. The need to test the brachial plexus in painful shoulder and upper quarter conditions. Proceedings of the Neck and Shoulder Symposium. Brisbane, Australia; 1983
  • 20 Elvey R, Quintner J L, Thomas A N. A clinical study of RSI.  Australian Family Physician. 1986;  15 1315-1319
  • 21 Elvey R L. The clinical relevance of signs of adverse brachial plexus tension. Proceedings of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists. Cambridge 1988
  • 22 Elvey R L, Hall T. Neural Tissue Evaluation and Treatment. Donatelli RA Physical Therapy of the Shoulder New York; Churchill Livingstone 1997
  • 23 Greening J, Lynn B. Minor peripheral nerve injuries: an underestimated source of pain.  Man Ther. 1998;  3 187-194
  • 24 Göeken L N, Hof L. Instrumental straight-leg raising: Results in healthy subjects.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1993;  74 194-203
  • 25 Göeken L N, Hof L. Instrumental straight-leg raising: Results in patients.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 1994;  75 470-477
  • 26 Hall T. Neuromeningeal involvement in the straight leg raise test identified by electromyography [unpublished thesis]. Perth; Curtin University of Technology 1996
  • 27 Hall T, Quintner J. Responses to mechanical stimulation of the upper limb in painful cervical radiculopathy.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1996;  42 277-285
  • 28 Hall T, Zusman M, Elvey R L. Adverse mechanical tension in the nervous system? Analysis of straight leg raise.  Man Ther. 1998;  3 140-146
  • 29 Hall T, Elvey R L. Nerve trunk pain: physical diagnosis and treatment.  Man Ther. 1999;  4 63-73
  • 30 van der Heide B, Allison G T, Zusman M. Physiologische Reaktionen auf einen Provokationstest der Neuralstrukturen in der oberen Extremität.  Krankengymnastik. 2000;  52 816-828
  • 31 van der Heide B, Allison G T, Zusman M. Pain and muscular responses to a neural tissue provocation test in the upper limb.  Man Ther. 2001;  6 154-162
  • 32 van der Heide B, Allison G T, Zusman M. Physiologische Reaktionen auf einen Provokationstest der Neuralstrukturen bei Patienten mit klinischer Diagnose einer zervikalen Radikulopathie. 3 Fallstudien.  Manuelle Therapie. 2002;  6 131-138
  • 33 Hodges P W, Bui B H. A comparison of computer-based methods for the determination of onset of muscle contraction using electromyography.  Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. 1996;  101 511-519
  • 34 Kenneally M. The Upper Limb Tension Test. Proceedings of the Fourth Biennial Conference of the Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia. Brisbane; 1985
  • 35 Kenneally M, Rubenach H, Elvey R. The upper limb tension test: The straight leg raise test of the arm. Grant R Physical therapy of the cervical and thoracic spine New York; Churchill Livingstone 1988
  • 36 Kleinrensink G J, Stoeckart R, Vleeming A. et al . Mechanical tension in the median nerve. The effects of joint positions.  Clinical Biomechanics. 1995;  10 240-244
  • 37 Kleinrensink G J, Stoeckart R, Mulder P GH. et al . Upper limb tension tests as tools in the diagnosis of nerve and plexus lesions. Anatomical and biomechanical aspects.  Clinical Biomechanics. 2000;  15 9-14
  • 38 Kuslich S D, Ulstrom C L, Cami J M. The tissue origin of low back pain and sciatica: A report of pain responses to tissue stimulation during operations on the lumbar spine using local anaesthesia.  Orthopaedic Clinics of North America. 1991;  22 181-187
  • 39 Owen J H, Kostui J P, Gornet M. et al . The use of mechanically elicited electromyograms to protect nerve roots during surgery for spinal degeneration.  Spine. 1994;  19 1704-1710
  • 40 Pullos J. The upper limb tension test.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1986;  32 258-259
  • 41 Quintner J L. A study of upper limb pain and paraesthesiae following neck injury in motor vehicle accidents: Assessment of the brachial plexus tension test of Elvey.  British Journal of Rheumatology. 1989;  28 528-533
  • 42 Quintner J L. Stretch-induced cervico-brachial pain syndrome.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. 1990;  36 99-103
  • 43 Sauer S K, Bove G M, Averbeck B. et al . Rat peripheral nerve components release calcitonin gene-related peptide and prostaglandine E2 in response to noxious stimuli: evidence that nervi nervorum are nociceptors.  Neuroscience. 1999;  92 319-325
  • 44 Selvaratnam P, Glasgow E F, Matyas T A. The strain at the nerve roots of the brachial plexus. Abstract.  Journal of Anatomy. 1988;  161 260
  • 45 Selvaratnam P J, Glasgow E F, Matyas T. Differential strain produced by the brachial plexus tension test on C5 to T1 nerve roots. Jones HM, Jones MA, Milde M Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial Conference of the Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia Adelaide, South Australia; Manipulative Therapists Association of Australia 1989
  • 46 Selvaratnam P J, Glasgow E F, Matyas T A. Noninvasive discrimination of brachial plexus involvement in upper limb pain.  Spine. 1994;  19 26-33
  • 47 Smyth M J, Wright V. Sciatica and the intervertebral disc: An experimental study.  Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 1958;  40A 1401-1418
  • 48 Sterling M, Treleaven J, Jull G. Responses to a clinical test of mechanical provocation of nerve tissue in whiplash associated disorders.  Man Ther. 2002;  7 89-94
  • 49 Sweeney J E, Harms A D. Hand hypersensitivity and the upper limb tension test: Another angle.  Pain. 1990;  5 (Suppl.) S466
  • 50 Tal M. A role for inflammation in chronic pain.  Current Review of Pain. 1999;  3 440-446
  • 51 Taylor J, Taylor M. Cervical spinal injuries: an autopsy study of 109 blunt injuries.  Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. 1996;  4 61-79
  • 52 Wright A, Thurnwald P, O’Callaghan J. et al . Hyperalgesia in tennis elbow patients.  Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. 1994;  2 83-97

Brigitte van der Heide, PT, Grad Dip Manip Ther, MSc

Unit 3, 15 Parry St

Fremantle

Western Australia 6160

Email: freophysio@iinet.net.au

    >