Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Effect of Mechanical Traction on Neck Pain and Disability in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy


Affiliations
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Background

Neck pain and cervical radiculopathy is a very common problem in general population and in musculoskeletal practice, accounting for 15% of all soft tissue problems. Twenty-six percent to 71% of the adult population experiences an episode of neck pain or stiffness in their lifetime. Neck pain is more common in females than in males, with rates reported as high as 77.8 percent. It has a costly impact on society because of visits to healthcare providers, sick leave, disability and loss of productivity.

Method

A total of 20 patients (11 female & 9 male) with neck pain participated in this prospective comparative study and were divided into Control (group A) &Experimental (group B) by convenient sampling. Neck pain and disability were measured with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) & Neck Disability Index (NDI). These variables were assessed at 0th, 8th and 16th session.

Results

Multivariable stepwise One way ANOVA and't' test showed that NDI score for group A and group B consistently reduced at 0th, 8th and 16th session but VAS score for group A notoriously changed. It finally reduced at 16th session after a short span of increase at 8th session. In group B, it showed consistent decrease at regular interval.

Conclusion

The findings of this study provide strong evidences that neck pain is directly related with disability. The results imply that mechanical cervical traction is useful physiotherapeutic adjunct for reducing neck pain and ultimately neck disability.


Keywords

Radiculopathy, Traction, Neck Disability, Pain.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Ahlgren BD, Gar® n SR. Cervical radiculopathy. Orthopedic Clinics of North America 1996; 27: 253± 263.

  • Matsumoto M, Fujimura Y, Sukuki N, Toyama Y, Shiga H. MRI of cervical intervertebral discs in asymptomatic subjects. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 1998; 80: 19± 24

  • Schellhas K, Smith M, Gundry C, Pollei S. Cervical discogenic pain. Prospective correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and discography in asymptomatic subjects and pain suOEers. Spine 1996; 21: 300± 312.

  • Shelerud RA, Paynter KS. Rarer causes of radiculopathy: spinal tumors, infections, and other unusual causes. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. Aug 2002; 13(3):645-96. [Medline]

  • Garvey TA, Eismont F (1991) Diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Orthop Rev 20: 595-603

  • Radhakrishnan K, Litchy WJ, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT. Epidemiology of cervical radiculopathy. A populationbased study from Rochester, Minnesota, 1976 through 1990. Brain. Apr 1994; 117(pt 2):325-35. [Medline]

  • Bogduk N, Twomey LT. Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone Inc; 1991.

  • Benini A (1987) Clinical features of cervical ischolar_main compression C5-C8 and their variations. Neuroorthopedics 4: 74-88

  • Fager CA (1993) Identification and management of radiculopathy. Neuro Surg Clin N Am 4: 1-12

  • Moffett JAK, Jackson DA, Richmond S et al (2005) Randomized trial of a brief physiotherapy intervention compared with usual physiotherapy for neck pain patients: outcomes and patients’ preference. BMJ 330:75–81

  • Jellman G, Öberg B (2002) a randomized clinical trial comparing general exercise, McKenzie treatment and a control group in patients with neck pain. J Rehabil Med 34:183–190

  • Gross AR, Aker P, Goldsmith C, Peloso P. Conservative management of mechanical neck disorders. A systematic overview and metaanalysis. The Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials 1996; 30(5): doc no 200

  • Olivero WC, Dulebohn SC (2002) Results of halter cervical traction for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy: retrospective review of 81 patients. Neurosurg Focus 12(2):1–3

  • Goldie I, Landquist A (1970) Evaluation of the effects of different forms of physiotherapy in cervical pain. Scand J Rehabil Med 2–3:117

  • Gross AR, Aker P, Goldsmith C, Peloso P. Conservative management of mechanical neck disorders. a systematic overview and metaanalysis. The Online Journal of Current Clinical Trials 1996; 30(5): doc no 200

  • Peeters GGM, Verhagen AP, deBie RA, Oostendorp RAB. The efficacy of conservative treatment in patients with whiplash injury. Spine 2001; 26: E64_/E73

  • Kjellman GV, Skargren EI, Oberg BE. A critical analysis of randomized clinical trials on neck pain and treatment efficacy. A review of the literature. Scand J Rehabil Med 1999; 31: 139 _/152.


Abstract Views: 347

PDF Views: 0




  • Effect of Mechanical Traction on Neck Pain and Disability in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy

Abstract Views: 347  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

A. Sanduja
Department of Physiotherapy, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana, India

Abstract


Background

Neck pain and cervical radiculopathy is a very common problem in general population and in musculoskeletal practice, accounting for 15% of all soft tissue problems. Twenty-six percent to 71% of the adult population experiences an episode of neck pain or stiffness in their lifetime. Neck pain is more common in females than in males, with rates reported as high as 77.8 percent. It has a costly impact on society because of visits to healthcare providers, sick leave, disability and loss of productivity.

Method

A total of 20 patients (11 female & 9 male) with neck pain participated in this prospective comparative study and were divided into Control (group A) &Experimental (group B) by convenient sampling. Neck pain and disability were measured with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) & Neck Disability Index (NDI). These variables were assessed at 0th, 8th and 16th session.

Results

Multivariable stepwise One way ANOVA and't' test showed that NDI score for group A and group B consistently reduced at 0th, 8th and 16th session but VAS score for group A notoriously changed. It finally reduced at 16th session after a short span of increase at 8th session. In group B, it showed consistent decrease at regular interval.

Conclusion

The findings of this study provide strong evidences that neck pain is directly related with disability. The results imply that mechanical cervical traction is useful physiotherapeutic adjunct for reducing neck pain and ultimately neck disability.


Keywords


Radiculopathy, Traction, Neck Disability, Pain.

References