Effect of Mulligan spinal mobilization with arm movement along with neurodynamics and manual traction in cervical radiculopathy patients: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of Mulligan Spinal Mobilisation with Arm Movement along with neurodynamics and manual traction on pain, disablity and cervical range of motion in cervical radiculopathy patients.

Methods: The randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from August to December 2017 at the Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised cervical radiculopathy patients of either gender aged 20-60 years. They were randomised into two groups, with the experimental Group A getting treated with Spinal Mobilisation with Arm Movement along with neurodynamics and manual traction, while the control group B only getting treated with neurodynamics and manual traction. The pain, disability and cervical range of motion were assessed before and after treatment of 3 weeks using Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index and Goniometry. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.

Results: Of the 31 patients, 19(61.3%) were females and 12(38.7%) were males. The overall mean age was 41.65±9.714 years. There were 15(48.4%) patients in Group A, and 16(51.6%) in Group B. Group A showed significantly better results in terms of pain, disability and cervical range of motion (p<0.05 each).

Conclusions: Patients treated with Spinal Mobilisation with Arm Movement along with neurodynamics and manual traction had better outcome compared to those who only got neurodynamics and manual traction.

Keywords: Cervical radiculopathy, Pain, Range of motion..