Traction in Vertical Sitting Position Versus Supine Lying Position in Patients of Chronic Radicular Low Back Pain
Condition: Low Back Pain
MeSH terms: Back Pain; Low Back Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The primary objective of the study is to determine the effects of vertical sitting versus
      supine lying traction on pain, range of motion, and function in patients with chronic
      radicular low back pain (CRLBP). CRLBP is one of the major types of lower back pain and
      causes significant disability and reduction in quality of life in the human population. The
      study will be a randomized controlled trial and the study setting will be Al-Barkat Hospital
      Gojra . A total of 30 participants will be selected randomly employing a non-probability
      convenient sampling technique. Two experimental groups will be made. Group A will be given
      vertical traction in a sitting position and Group B will be given traction in supine lying.
      Both groups will receive baseline physiotherapy treatment which includes Hot-pack, TENS, and
      ultrasound. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) will be
      used as outcome-measuring tools for pain intensity and functional disability respectively. An
      inclinometer will be used to measure ROM. Measures will be taken at (0, 4th, 8th, and 12th
      week). Data will be analyzed by using parametric/non-parametric tests after assessing the
      normality. SPSS version 28.
    

Detailed description: 
      CRLBP of the lumbosacral region is a disorder that is closely linked with socioeconomic
      consequences. The incidence of lower back pain among workers is approximately 13%. Out of
      which, CRLBP is responsible for 11%. In the lumbosacral region, radicular pain has an
      occurrence rate of 10 % to 25%. Key interventions by physical therapists involve pain
      relieving modalities, stretching, muscle conditioning, lumbar traction, and awareness about
      correct postures that lead to useful exercises. As the reason behind the radicular low back
      pain is the spinal nerve compression due to the spinal canal impingement, the lumbar traction
      lightens the pain through vertebral separation producing decompression on the pressed nerve.
      Radicular low back pain shows diverse symptoms, it can be self-limiting, staying only for a
      short interval with no aftereffects, or can be a key concern behind long-term disability and
      work loss.

      The narrative on the effectiveness of vertical traction as a component of physical therapy
      modalities is contradictory. Despite the fact that lumbar traction has been preferred over
      other methods for the treatment of lumbar disk disorders, it is usually not advised in the
      treatment of acute low back pain because of the efficiency of more active treatment options.

      The aim of the study is to determine the effects of vertical sitting versus supine lying
      traction on pain, range of motion, and function in patients with radicular low back pain.
      This study may help physiotherapists to have an estimate of the best possible position for
      applying traction in patients with radicular low back pain. The conclusion of this study
      might provide therapists with an optimum traction treatment protocol for CRLBP.
    

Intervention name(s): Traction
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Continuous mechanical traction will be applied to the lumbar area in 2 different positions.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: low back pain; Chronic pain; Traction