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Impact of contralateral limb positioning on upper limb neurodynamic test 1: An electromyographic and range of motion
Diego Alessandro de Oliveira Padilha1, Lívia Kirsch Damasceno1, Rafael Baeske2
1Department of Physiotherapy, Faculdades Integradas de Taquara, Taquara, Brazil.
Background:
The upper limb neurodynamic test 1 (ULNT1) is widely used in clinical practice to assess peripheral nerve mechanosensitivity. However, the influence of contralateral limb positioning on test outcomes, such as range of motion (ROM) and electromyographic (EMG) activity, remains unclear.
Objective:
To analyze the influence of contralateral limb positioning on elbow ROM and EMG activity of the biceps brachii (BB) and upper trapezius (UT) during the ULNT1 in healthy individuals.
Methods:
This observational study included 49 asymptomatic participants. The ULNT1 was conducted with the contralateral limb in two positions: resting by the side and overhead. Elbow ROM was measured at the first perception of symptoms, and EMG activity of the BB and UT was recorded during three sequential test phases: shoulder abduction (GH ABD), shoulder external rotation and wrist extension (GH ER + WEXT), and elbow extension (EEXT). Results: Elbow ROM was slightly greater with the contralateral limb positioned overhead (2.2°, p < .01); however, this difference is very close to the standard error of measurement for elbow extension. EMG activity increased progressively across test phases in both muscles, with the highest activity observed during EEXT. Contralateral limb positioning had no significant effect on EMG activity (p = .35).
Conclusion:
Contralateral limb position does not influence elbow ROM or EMG activity during the ULNT1 in asymptomatic individuals. These findings suggest that ULNT1 outcomes are not affected by this position variation and provide a basis for further investigation in symptomatic populations.
