Effect of an intensive cervical traction protocol on mid-term disability and pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy: An exploratory, prospective, observational pilot study.

Abstract

BackgroundCervical radiculopathy is a relatively common and disabling condition involving local pain in the neck region and pain that radiates into the upper limb. Recent data suggest that cervical traction may effectively reduce disability and pain, with a dose-response relationship. The main aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the mid-term effect of an intensive cervical traction protocol for patients with cervical radiculopathy on disability, and to compare the effects with those reported by non-intensive protocols in the literature.MethodsWe conducted a prospective open observational study of 36 patients referred by their general practitioner for symptoms suggestive of cervical radiculopathy. All patients underwent the same treatment: a 30-minute cervical traction protocol, twice a day, for five consecutive days. The main objective was the evaluation of disability at 3 months. We evaluated at baseline (D1), the end of the protocol (D5) and at mid-term (M3) disability, cervical pain, radiating pain, pain on motor imagery, presence of neuropathic pain and medication consumption. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients for whom the Neck Disability Index improved by more than the minimum clinically important difference of 7 points by M3.ResultsThirty-six patients were included in this study. The Neck Disability Index improved by more than the minimum clinically important difference in 48.3% at M3. Mean Neck Disability Index (p ConclusionDisability reduced by more than the minimum clinically important difference in almost half of the participants following the intensive traction protocol. These results are encouraging and suggest that this complex condition can be treated with relatively simple methods.