NCT00979108

The Value of Traction in the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy

The Value of Mechanical Traction in the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 86 (actual)
• Sponsor: Intermountain Health Care, Inc. · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of adding mechanical traction to standard physical therapy treatments for patients with neck and arm pain.

Detailed description

Cervical traction is an intervention frequently recommended for the treatment of patients with neck pain. Systematic reviews have not endorsed the use of mechanical traction for patients with neck pain, however these reviews note the poor methodological quality of available research. Trials that have been performed have examined heterogeneous samples of patients with neck pain. It may be that cervical traction has not shown to be effective because only a specific subgroup may benefit from it. Most experts believe that traction is most beneficial for individuals with neck pain extending into the upper extremity who have signs of nerve root compression. Randomized clinical trials examining the effectiveness of traction for patients with these specific characteristics have not been performed. Preliminary studies support the hypothesis that there exists a specific subgroup of patients with neck pain likely to benefit from traction The current study will address 3 important questions: 1. Will the existence of a more specific subgroup of patients who benefit from traction along with a standard exercise program be validated in a second sample of patients? 2. Is cervical traction a critical component of the treatment necessary to maximize outcomes for patients in this subgroup? 3. Do two commonly used traction protocols differ in their effectiveness for patients in this subgroup? (Specifically, we study will compare supine mechanical traction to over-the-door traction.)

Conditions

• Radiculopathy
• Neck Pain
• Spinal Diseases
• Musculoskeletal Diseases
• Neuromuscular Diseases
• Intervertebral Disk Displacement

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Physical therapy rehabilitation	Mechanical cervical traction will be applied at a moderate force and adjusted based on symptom relief. In addition, subjects will be trained in cervical and postural exercises.
OTHER	Physical therapy rehabilitation	Subjects will be instructed in use of an over-the-door traction unit utilizing weights up to 20 pounds in sitting. In addition, subjects will be trained in neck and postural exercises.
OTHER	Physical therapy rehabilitation	Subjects will be instructed in neck and postural exercises.

Timeline

• Start date: 2009-07-01
• Primary completion: 2012-03-01
• Completion: 2013-01-01
• First posted: 2009-09-17
• Last updated: 2014-11-17

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States