Exploration of symptomatic responses to the straight leg raise test and efficacy of sciatic nerve electrical stimulation in the management of low-back related leg pain: a study protocol.

Abstract Low back pain, with or without leg irradiation, is one of the leading causes of musculoskeletal disability, with significant clinical and socioeconomic implications. Despite the availability of multiple therapeutic approaches, evidence regarding the most effective strategy remains limited, particularly for conservative interventions.This project integrates two complementary studies. The first, an observational study, will assess the diagnostic utility of the straight leg raise test to distinguish between different clinical presentations of low back pain (localized/nociceptive vs. irradiated/neuropathic) and healthy individuals, by analyzing symptomatic responses during the test.The second is a randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and placebo, all in combination with a therapeutic exercise program, to improve pain, disability and physical function in patients with neuropathic-like low-back related leg pain. The interventions will be delivered over six weeks, with assessments conducted at baseline, after the first session, after one week, at the end of treatment and at 3- and 6-months post-intervention.This project will help define the diagnostic value of the straight leg raise test and provide clinical evidence regarding percutaneous and transcutaneous electrical stimulation in physiotherapy, contributing to the optimization of conservative treatment strategies for neuropathic-like low-back related leg pain.