Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides and Mechanical Cervical Traction in the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy

Overview

Sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGS), is a form of manual therapy, involved a combination of a sustained facet glide with active motion, followed by overpressure. Natural apophseal glides (NAGS), a modification of SNAGS, involves a mid to end-range facet joint mobilisation applied anterocranially or posterioanteriorly along the plane of treatment, combined with a small amount of manual traction which increases movement within the spine, and decreases symptomatic pain . A study reported that Natural Apophyseal Glides (NAGS) and Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides (SNAGS) demonstrated significant effects in reducing pain and disability in subjects with chronic neck pain . This technique, SNAGS, is however an evolving manual therapy techniques which its effectiveness has not been thoroughly investigated in cervical radiculopathy treatment raised author's curiosity to compare and document efficacy of SNAGS with cervical traction in Nigeria since comparative studies evaluating SNAGS and manual cervical traction relative efficacies among Nigerians are yet to be documented if at all available. Consequently, the quest is to look for a quicker and a better way of relieving cervical radiculopathy in this environment . The more reason why we have to compare it with a conventional mechanical traction.

This is a Quasi experimental study. Participants will be patients with radiculopathy receiving treatment at the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital Sokoto Nigeria. Ethical approval will be obtained from Institute of Public Health of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and a copy will be taken to the site of the study. The purpose and protocol for the study will be explained to the participants, after their informed consent have been obtained. The sample size will be determined using N= 4σ2 (Zcrit+Zpwr)2/ D2 where N is the total sample size, σ is the assumed SD of each group (assumed to be equal for the groups), which is assumed to be 16.63 from previous study; Zcrit is the standard normal deviate corresponding to the selected significance criterion, i.e 0.05(95% = 1,960), Zpwr is the standard normal deviate corresponding to the selected statistical power (i.e. 0.80 = 0.842), and D is the minimum expected difference among the three means, and D =18 from a previous study. Therefore, N obtained will be 41.22. Fifty two participants are proposed for this study (making 26 participants for each group) in order to give room for attrition. The 52 participants will be allocated to two groups (Groups A and B) using permuted block randomization. Subjects in group A will receive (i) Sustained Natural Apophyzeal Glides: Each subject in this group will be in sitting position facing the wall bar. The therapist will place on thumb reinforced over the spinous process of the implicated cervical vertebra. The therapist will then push upon the implicated spinous process. The pressure will be sustained for 60 seconds. Six repetitions will be carried out and maintained on each visit twice in a week for 6 weeks. Subjects in group B will receive over -the -door mechanical cervical traction in sitting position using position 10% of each patient's body weight for 15 minutes on each visit, twice in a week for 6 weeks. Pain intensity will be measured using visual analogue scale, cervical range of motions will be measured using inclinometer, functional disabilities will be measured using neck disabilities index questionnaires. The out come measures will be applied three times: pre-treatment, 3rd week and 6th week within the treatment period. The data obtained will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.