The effect of cervical traction combined with conventional therapy on grip strength on patients with cervical radiculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if combining intermittent cervical traction with conventional physical therapy methods is more effective than using conventional approaches alone in the improvement of the grip strength and treatment of the patients with unilateral cervical 7 (C7) radiculopathy.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial (RCT).


METHODS
An outpatient physical therapy clinic, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Iran.


METHODS
A sample of convenience of 30 patients with unilateral C7 radiculopathy participated in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to a control (N = 15, mean age = 46.93 +/- 5.32) and an experimental group (N = 15, mean age = 47.53 +/- 5.6).


METHODS
Electrotherapy/exercise treatment for control group and combined cervical traction and electrotherapy/exercise for experimental group. Ten physical therapy sessions, three times a week for each group.


METHODS
Grip strength as an appropriate objective parameter was measured before treatment and after 5 and 10 treatment sessions.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis (paired t-test) revealed significant increase in grip strength after 10 treatment sessions in control (p < 0.01) and experimental group (p < 0.01) compared with pretreatment score. In the ANCOVA, controlling for pretest scores, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the after 10 treatment sessions grip score (p = 0.65). However, the change in grip strength after five sessions was significantly greater for the experimental group than for the control group (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The application of cervical traction combined with electrotherapy and exercise produced an immediate improvement in the hand grip function in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
Joghataei
Mohammad Taghi
MT
Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
Arab
Amir Massoud
AM
Khaksar
Hossein
H
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome