Abstract Background: Cervical Radiculopathy (CR) involves compression of the cervical nerve roots leading to numbness, paraesthesias, muscle weakness, etc. in the upper extremity making the patient functionally disabled. There have been studies about treating the condition using Intermittent cervical traction. However, there have been controversial reviews regarding its use. The objective of the study was to find out the effectiveness of traction in patients with cervical radiculopathy, along with neuromobilization and exercises. Methodology: 30 patients diagnosed with CR participated in a Randomized Controlled Trial and were assigned to either Group 1(traction group) or Group 2(no traction group). Group 1 was given neuromobilization, exercise and traction. Group 2 was given neuromobilization and exercise. The patients were treated for 10 sessions thrice a week for 3.2 weeks. The NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), NDI (Neck Disability Index), & PSFS (Patientspecific Fucntional Scale) were used to collect data on 1st, 5thand 10th sessions of treatment. Results: There was a significant improvement within each group. The postmean NPRS for group 2 was 3.81(±0.54) and for Group 1 was 3.85(±0.55). The postmean NDI for group 2 was 13.67 (±4.93) and for Group 1 was 12.73 (±4.72). The postmean PSFS for Group 2 was 7.37(±1.04) and for Group 1 was 7.79(±0.88). However, no significant difference was found when the outcome measures were compared between the two groups. Conclusion: Neuromobilization along with exercise is an effective technique which can be used to treat patients of CR. But, in our study intermittent cervical traction did not have any additional significant benefit in the experimental group.
Keywords: Cervical Radiculopathy; Intermittent Cervical Traction; Neuromobilization.