Effects of Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Disc prolapse causes impairment of function by nerve root compression compelling the patient to seek medical advice for low backache. Traction is one of the physical modalities frequently used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations. So the purpose of the study is to determine the effect of one-fifth, one-half, and one-third of body weight traction on the straight leg raise test and pain.

Detailed Description
-----------------
A total of 45 patients suffering from lumbar PIVD and having neurological symptoms will be selected for the study. Lumbar PIVD will be confirmed from MRI. Participants will be divided into three groups with 15 participants in each group. group A. for one-fifth of body weight traction, group b for one-third of body weight traction, and group C for one-half of body weight traction. SLR and pain will be measured before traction and after traction. A goniometer will be used to measure SLR and VAS will be used to measure pain.

Official Title
-----------------
Effects of One-fifth, One-third, and One-half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients

Conditions
-----------------
Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Procedure: Mechanical Traction


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Back pain for less than 3 months Positive unilateral Straight Leg Raise test which includes reports of back and leg pain or paraesthesia below 45-degree hip flexion At least one additional neurological sign should be present including- (a) Diminished Achillis/Hamstring tendon reflex, tested in the supine position or (b) Hyposthesia in any of the L4-S2 dermatome, or (c) Muscle weakness in any of the L4-S2 myotome. MRI evidence of L-4-L5 or L5-S1 disc prolapse or both. Exclusion Criteria: Malignancy, Tuberculosis, Osteoporosis, Osteomyelitis of the vertebral column Cord compression, Pregnancy, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Joint hyper mobility Subjects who could not tolerate the traction force secondary to being in an acute stage of back pain. Subjects who have taken previous physiotherapy treatment in the last three months for back pain.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Three-arm parallel groups
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Group A<br>One-fifth of body weight traction force will be given | Procedure: Mechanical Traction<br>* Mechanical Traction will be applied to the lumbar region using a traction unit.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Group B<br>One-third of body weight traction force will be given | Procedure: Mechanical Traction<br>* Mechanical Traction will be applied to the lumbar region using a traction unit.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Group C<br>One-half of body weight traction force will be given | Procedure: Mechanical Traction<br>* Mechanical Traction will be applied to the lumbar region using a traction unit.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Straight Leg Raise test | Straight leg raise test is used in supine position to test neurological signs | upto 1 month | 
| Visual analog scale | Visual analog scale is used to measure pain. This scale has 0 to 10 points, 0 being no pain and 10 means maximum pain someone has felt. Higher the score worse is the condition. | upto 1 month | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Mechanical Traction, Prolapsed intervertebral disc, straight leg raise test, pain