Effects of Thoracic Mobility Versus Stretching Exercise Program in Patients of Cervical Radiculopathy

NCT ID: NCT05404646

Last Updated: 2023-04-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 44 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-06-15
• Study Completion Date: 2023-01-30

Brief Summary

The study will be a randomized clinical trial with a sample size of 44 to determine the effects of thoracic mobility versus thoracic stretching exercises on pain, range of motion, and function in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Subjects will be enrolled according to inclusion-exclusion criteria. Patients will be divided into two groups, each with 22 patients. Group A will receive thoracic mobility exercises along with conventional physical therapy while group B will receive thoracic stretching exercises along with the conventional physical therapy protocol. The conventional physical therapy protocol will include a hot pack, neck Traction, and stretches. The session will be around 30 to 45 min for each patient with three sessions per week on alternate days. A total of Three weeks of treatment regime will be given to the patients and an assessment of patient's pain, range of motion, and function with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometry and Neck Disability Index (NDI) will be done at the baseline, after the completion of treatment at three weeks and after six weeks to observe the long-term effects. will be analyzed by using SPSS version 25

Detailed Description

Cervical radiculopathy is characterized by neurological dysfunction caused by compression and inflammation of the spinal nerves or nerve roots of the cervical spine. The incidence and prevalence rate of cervical radiculopathy are unclear, and epidemiological data are limited.

Depending on the segments involved and the severity of neurological dysfunction, various signs and symptoms of cervical radiculopathy may manifest as neck and unilateral arm pain with numbness, weakness, or altered reflexes. Cervical spine radiculopathy is a disabling condition that has significant negative impacts on a person's mental health, physical functioning and social participation. It is a complex presentation, associated with increased dependence on healthcare systems, and poses a substantial challenge for clinicians and patients as it does not always respond to conventional therapies Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy may include neck and upper limb pain as well as neurological signs such as muscle weakness, disturbed sensation, and decreased reflex.

Patients with cervical radiculopathy demonstrated characteristics of sensory changes such as hypoesthesia (mechanical, thermal, and vibratory) and cold and pressure pain hypersensitivity. Conservative treatment, particularly physical therapy, is generally recommended as initial treatment for patients with cervical radiculopathy. It is found that vertebral mobilization and manipulation of the cervical spine were effective in improving pain, neck movement, and function in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Group A

Thoracic mobility exercises

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Thoracic mobility exercises with conventional physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Thoracic mobility exercises These techniques include mobilization, manipulation and glides to check and treat the joints. Here, these techniques will be used to mobilize the thoracic spine. In this treatment mobility exercises (Unilateral posterior anterior, Central posterior anterior and transverse glides) + hot pack (10 min) + neck stretching (neck flexors, extensors, side benders) + cervical Traction will be given to patient. A total session time will be 45 min and thrice a week on alternate days for three weeks.

Group B

Thoracic stretching exercises

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Thoracic stretching exercises with conventional physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Thoracic stretching exercises Thoracic stretching exercises. Thoracic stretching exercises are used to correct the musculature of thoracic region. In this treatment group stretching exercises (passive stretches and therapist facilitated exercises) +hot pack (10 min) +neck stretching (neck flexors, extensors, side benders) + tractions will be given to patient. A total of 45 min session thrice a week on alternate days for three weeks will be given. Only the eligible patients who fulfil the inclusion criteria will be included in the study.

Interventions

Thoracic mobility exercises with conventional physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Thoracic mobility exercises These techniques include mobilization, manipulation and glides to check and treat the joints. Here, these techniques will be used to mobilize the thoracic spine. In this treatment mobility exercises (Unilateral posterior anterior, Central posterior anterior and transverse glides) + hot pack (10 min) + neck stretching (neck flexors, extensors, side benders) + cervical Traction will be given to patient. A total session time will be 45 min and thrice a week on alternate days for three weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Thoracic stretching exercises with conventional physical therapy for cervical radiculopathy

Thoracic stretching exercises Thoracic stretching exercises. Thoracic stretching exercises are used to correct the musculature of thoracic region. In this treatment group stretching exercises (passive stretches and therapist facilitated exercises) +hot pack (10 min) +neck stretching (neck flexors, extensors, side benders) + tractions will be given to patient. A total of 45 min session thrice a week on alternate days for three weeks will be given. Only the eligible patients who fulfil the inclusion criteria will be included in the study.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Both genders
• Age 25-55 years
• Unilateral cervical ridiculer pain.
• Chronicity of pain - 4 weeks minimum.
• Met wainner et al criteria (Slump test, Distraction test, ULTT)

Exclusion Criteria

• • Fractures

• Red Flags
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Neurologic deficit
• Injury to spinal cord
• Tumor
• Circulatory disturbances

• Minimum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Riphah International University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Syed Shakil-ur Rehman, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Riphah International University

Locations

District Head Quarter Bahawalnagar

Bahāwalnagar, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

References

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Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 33373515 (View on PubMed)

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Reference Type: BACKGROUND

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Reference Type: BACKGROUND

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Borrella-Andres S, Marques-Garcia I, Lucha-Lopez MO, Fanlo-Mazas P, Hernandez-Secorun M, Perez-Bellmunt A, Tricas-Moreno JM, Hidalgo-Garcia C. Manual Therapy as a Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Jun 3;2021:9936981. doi: 10.1155/2021/9936981. eCollection 2021.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

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Other Identifiers

REC/RCR &AHS/22/0135 Iqra

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id