Concurrent Treatment for Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

University of Indianapolis40 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two treatment interventions in patients with cervical radiculopathy. One group will receive a concurrent approach using traction and neuromobilizations. The other group will receive the sequential approach of traction and neuromobilizations

Physical therapists routinely use cervical traction and manual therapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy. The standard of care is a sequential approach in which the patients receive interventions successively. This study will provide the standard of care approach for one group while the other group receives the concurrent approach in which the patient will have neuromobilizations while they are receiving mechanical traction. Both groups will also receive exercise and manual therapy to the cervical and thoracic spine.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Spinal Nerve Root Disorder Nos

Interventions

concurrent traction and neuromobilization techniqueOTHER

participant will be on a mechanical traction machine with an on:off cycle. During the on cycle, the primary researcher will be performing a neuromobilization technique on the symptomatic arm. Patients will also receive exercise and manual therapy

sequential traction and neuromobilization techniqueOTHER

Participants will receive neuromobilzation techniques followed by supine cervical traction

active exercise programOTHER

Participants will have 4-5 exercises to perform at each session

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria: * Participants that test positive on at least 3 out of 4 special tests. * Participants will score at least 10 on the Neck Disability Index * Participants will score at least 2 on the numeric pain rating scale Exclusion Criteria: * Do not test positive on at least 3 of 4 special tests. * Signs of cervical trauma * Cervical myelopathy * Active pregnancy * Medical red flags (fracture, tumor, long term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis) * Evidence of vascular compromise * Cervical spine surgery * Recent injections in the past six weeks

Locations (1)

Michiana Orthopaedics and Sports Physical Therapy

Mishawaka, Indiana, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

changes in pain

Measured using the Numeric pain rating scale. Minimum score is 0 and maximum score is 10. 0 describes no pain and 10 describes worst pain imaginable.

Time frame: after 4 weeks of intervention

changes in function

Measured using the Neck Disability Index. The Neck Disability Index has a minimum score of 0 and maximum score of 50. It is typically expressed as a percentage by multiplying the score by 2. Higher scores represent greater disability.

Time frame: After 4 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Difference in treatment time between the groups

average minutes in treatment in each group

Time frame: 4 weeks of intervention

Central Contacts

Patrick Christianson

CONTACT

574-485-6082 christiansonpj@uindy.edu

James Bellew, EdD

CONTACT

317-788-3522 bellew@uindy.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.