Objectives: To compare the effects of manual therapy, exercise, and cervical traction to manual therapy, exercise, and sham traction on pain, function and disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Summary of Background Data: To date, optimal strategies for the management of patients with CR remain elusive. Preliminary evidence suggests that a multi-modal program consisting of manual therapy, exercise and cervical traction, may result in positive outcomes for patients with CR. However, there exists limited evidence to support the use of mechanical cervical traction in patients with CR. Methods: Patients with CR were randomized into one of two groups: Group MTEXTraction (manual therapy, exercise and intermittent cervical traction) and Group MTEX (manual therapy, exercise and sham intermittent cervical traction). Patients were treaated on average 2 times per week for an average of 4.2 weeks. Outcomes measures collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks included the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), patient specific functional scale (PSFS), and neck disability index (NDI). Results: Subjects in both groups experienced significant improvements in pain, function disbility at the 2 and 4 week follow-up. There were no significant differences between the groups for any outcome measure at 2 weeks or 4 weeks. Conclusions: The addition of intermittent cervical traction to manual therapy and exercise did not provide additional improvements in pain, function, and disability. Patients receiving either management strategy demonstrated improvements in pain, function and disability over the course of a 4 week treatment program.
