Borman P et al. - No specific effect of traction over standard physiotherapeutic interventions was observed in adults with chronic neck pain. It is suggested that the clinicians should consider this condition and focus on exercise therapy in the management of patients suffering from this condition. Methods
Aim was to examine the efficacy of traction therapy in chronic neck pain
42 pts with at least 6 wks of nonspecific neck pain were selected for the study
Data about demographic characteristics were recorded
Each patient was randomly assigned to Group 1 - receiving only standard physical therapy including hot pack, ultrasound therapy and exercise program
Group 2 was treated with traction therapy in addition to standard physical therapy
The pts were reevaluated at the end of the therapy
Results
The main outcome measures were pain intensity by visual analog scale (VAS), disability by neck disability index (NDI), and QoL
24 female and 18 male pts with mean age of 48.2±11.5 yrs and a mean disease duration of 4.3±2.9 yrs were included in the study
No differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, pain intensity, and scores of NHP and NDI at entry
There were 21 pts in both groups
Both groups improved significantly in pain intensity and the scores of NDI and physical subscles of NHP at the end of the therapies
There was an association between NDI and VAS pain scores in both groups
No correlation was observed between clinical variables and age and duration of disease
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