Simultaneous Traction and Neural Mobilization
Condition: Cervical Radiculopathy
MeSH terms: Radiculopathy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Neck pain is a frequently reported complaint of the musculoskeletal system which generally
      has a huge impact on health care expenditure; ascribed to visits to health care providers,
      disability, and sick leaves. A variety of manual therapy techniques including Cervical
      traction (CT) and neural mobilization techniques (NMTs) have been prescribed in the
      management of CR because of their immediate analgesic effect. Both techniques have been
      proposed to reduce pain and functional limitations in CR. Traction increases the separation
      of the vertebral bodies which eventually reduces the central pressure in the disk space and
      encourages the disk nucleus to get back to a central position. The current literature lends
      assistance to the utilization of the traction in addition to other physical therapy
      procedures for pain reduction, with less significant impact on function and disability.
      Further studies should investigate to explore the most effective traction method and dosage,
      the subgroups of patients with CR, or the pain stage (acute, subacute, or chronic) most
      benefited by this intervention and the physical therapy procedures that yield the most
      effective outcomes when combined with traction.
    

Detailed description: 
      Researchers have started exploring that neural tissue mobilization along with conventional
      treatment is more effective in decreasing pain and improving cervical range of motion and
      mental component of quality of life in unilateral cervical radiculopathy (CR) patients than
      intermittent cervical traction and conventional treatment. Future randomized controlled
      trials are warranted with the purpose to compare the long-term effectiveness of cervical
      traction with neural mobilization in CR, as well as the effect of these two techniques in
      comparison with other interventions. Some literature recommended the simultaneous application
      of mechanical cervical traction along with neural mobilization in the treatment of Unilateral
      Cervical Radiculopathy. There are numerous studies in which both groups received Cervical
      traction (CT) and neural mobilization (NM) was added in only one group along with cervical
      traction or studies in which both groups received NM and CT was administered in only one
      group as well, there are also some studies in which one group received only CT and other
      group received only NM but there isn't any study yet in which we can compare the effect of
      simultaneous administration of CT and NM and consecutive administration of CT and NM.

      Pain and functional limitation in cervical radiculopathy can be treated with mechanical
      cervical traction and neural mobilization. The purpose of the study is to determine that is
      simultaneous administration of cervical traction and neural mobilization is more effective
      than consecutive administration in the management of cervical radiculopathy. The findings of
      the study will provide an insight into the low-cost evidence-based conservative management of
      cervical radiculopathy.
    

Intervention name(s): Simultaneous Cervical Traction & Neural Mobilization; consecutive Cervical Traction & Neural Mobilization
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Simultaneously Mechanical Cervical traction with Neural Mobilization of the upper limb for 3 times a week, 45 minutes per day for 4 weeks; consecutive Mechanical Cervical traction with Neural Mobilization of the upper limb for 3 times a week, 45 minutes per day for 4 weeks
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment