Effects of Cervical Distraction Versus Cervical Traction Techniques on Upper Cervical Pain

March 31, 2023 updated by: Riphah International University

Effects of Cervical Distraction Versus Cervical Traction Techniques on Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Upper Cervical Pain

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of cervical distraction versus cervical traction techniques on pain, range of motion and function in patients with upper cervical pain. This study will be randomized clinical trial and 42 patients according to inclusion criteria will be included in the study. They will be allocated into 2 groups by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Group A will receive cervical distraction technique with conventional physical therapy while Group B will receive cervical traction technique with conventional therapy. Outcome measures; Neck Disability Index, goniometry and Numeric Pain Rating Scale will measure neck function and neck pain intensity. Both groups will receive 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks and measurements will be taken at the baseline and at the end of 4th week. Data will be analyzed by SPSS version 25

Study Overview

Detailed Description

The term collectively used for musculoskeletal conditions originating from cervical area is known as neck pain. According to the Global burden of disease (2010) study, neck pain is the fourth agent which is the reason behind chronic disability. The incidence of cervical pain in the adult population aged 15 to 74 years is 5.92% to 38.7% and it is more prevalent in women than men. The best predictor of future neck pain is the presence of an episode of neck pain in the past. Cervical rotation deficits are noted mostly in upper cervical spine issues as in atlantoaxial joint pathology.

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of cervical distraction versus cervical traction techniques on pain, range of motion and function in patients with upper cervical pain. This study will be a randomized clinical trial and 42 patients according to inclusion criteria will be included in the study. They will be allocated into 2 groups by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Group A will receive the cervical distraction technique with conventional physical therapy while Group B will receive the cervical traction technique with conventional therapy. Outcome measures; Neck Disability Index, goniometry and Numeric Pain Rating Scale will measure neck function and neck pain intensity. Both groups will receive 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks and measurements will be taken at the baseline and at the end of 4th week. Data will be analyzed by SPSS version 25.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

42

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Punjab
      • Faisalābad, Punjab, Pakistan, 54000
        • Mehmooda begum medical complex

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years to 45 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Minimum 3 months chronicity of upper cervical pain
  • Positive flexion-rotation test (asymmetry of >10◦ between sides or less than 32◦ in any direction)
  • hypomobility in one or more segments of C0-1, C1-2, or C2-3

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Congenital abnormalities (Cervical torticollis)
  • Past surgical history of cervical spine
  • Any history of neck trauma
  • Already undergone physiotherapy treatment

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Distraction technique
conventional physical therapy with distraction technique
Distraction will be at suboccipital level and patients will ask to assume a supine position with the head on the plinth. The therapist will use fingertips in both hands from digits 2 through 5, and cups the suboccipital region of the patient and supports the posterior skull. The therapist provides a light distraction to the posterior skull. Distraction will be applied for 10 min with pull for 10 sec and5 sec will be applied. Prior to apply this technique all patients will receive 15 minutes of infrared with TENS at cervical spine. The total treatment session will be of 25 minute with total intervention period of 4 weeks with 5 sessions per week.
Experimental: Traction technique
conventional physical therapy with traction technique
In cervical traction, patients will ask to lie supine on the treatment table. Head will cradle by physiotherapist from chin and the occiput, and then the physiotherapist will apply traction force in 25 degree neck flexion. Traction will be applied for 10 minutes with pull for 10 sec and 5 sec rest will be applied. Prior to apply this technique all patients will receive 15 minutes of infrared with TENS at cervical spine. The total treatment session will be of 25 min with total intervention period of 4 weeks with 5 sessions per week. All outcome measurements will be assessed before treatment and then reassessed at the end of 4th week.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
NPRS
Time Frame: 4th week
The NPRS is a segmented numeric version of the visual analog scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number (0-10) that best reflects the intensity of his/her pain 11-point numeric scale ranges from '0' representing no pain to 10 representing the worst imaginable pain
4th week
NDI
Time Frame: 4th Week
The NDI has become a standard instrument for measuring self-rated disability due to neck pain. Each of the 10 items scores from 0 to 5. The maximum score is 50.
4th Week
Goniometric measurement
Time Frame: 4th Week
The science of measuring the joint ranges in each plane of the joint is called goniometry. Goniometer is a device that measures an angle or permits the rotation of an object to a definite position. Neck flexion, extension, side bending and rotation will be assessed through it
4th Week

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 30, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

January 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 23, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 23, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

May 26, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 3, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 31, 2023

Last Verified

March 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/0136 Hafsa Khan

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Neck Pain

Clinical Trials on conventional physical therapy with distraction technique

Subscribe