Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common condition, often associated with cervicogenic headache (CGH), a secondary headache arising from cervical spine disorders. Mechanical intermittent cervical traction (MICT) is frequently prescribed to treat CR symptoms. The purpose of the stu...
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BMC
2024-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07930-z |
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| author | Anis Jellad Amine Kalai Amr Chaabeni Cyrine Ben Nasrallah Atef Ben Nsir Mahbouba Jguirim Asma Belguith Sriha Zohra Ben Salah Frih Mohamed Hedi Bedoui |
| author_facet | Anis Jellad Amine Kalai Amr Chaabeni Cyrine Ben Nasrallah Atef Ben Nsir Mahbouba Jguirim Asma Belguith Sriha Zohra Ben Salah Frih Mohamed Hedi Bedoui |
| author_sort | Anis Jellad |
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| description | Abstract Background Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common condition, often associated with cervicogenic headache (CGH), a secondary headache arising from cervical spine disorders. Mechanical intermittent cervical traction (MICT) is frequently prescribed to treat CR symptoms. The purpose of the study was to make a preliminary estimate of efficacy of adding MICT to conventional rehabilitation on CGH in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods A total of 36 CR patients with CGH were randomly allocated to 3 equally sized groups (A, B and C). The treatment consisted of twelve sessions of conventional rehabilitation (4 weeks) combined with MICT (2 kg for group A, 8 kg for group B and 12 kg for group C). Primary outcomes were CGH intensity (visual analog scale) and frequency (days per week). Secondary outcomes were radicular pain intensity (visual analog scale), cervical range of motion (cervical range of motion instrument), proprioception (cervical range of motion instrument) and muscle strength (MicroFET2 dynamometer), handgrip strength (handheld dynamometer), function (Neck Disability Index), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for KInesiophobia), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depresion questionnaire), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life). Patients were assessed at baseline, one, three and six months after the beginning of treatment. The post hoc Dunn testing was used to determine which traction load had the better effect on CGH symptoms. Results At one, three and six months follow-ups, Group C exhibited the highest improvement in CGH intensity and frequency compared to the other groups (p = 0.021 and p = 0.023; p = 0.012 and p = 0.01; p = 0.005 and p = 0.005). Both groups C and B showed a significant improvement in radicular pain compared to group A at one month follow-up (p = 0.05).The improvement in group C was significantly better in terms of function (p = 0.049) and anxiety (p = 0.011) at three months and quality of life at six months (Psychological p = 0.046 and Environment p = 0.006). Conclusions The blend of conventional rehabilitation alongside 12 kg MICT seems to be efficacious in diminishing both the intensity and frequency of CGH in patients with CR. These advantages appear to last for up to six months following the treatment period, potentially leading to decreased CGH severity and occurrence rates, heightened functionality, reduced anxiety levels, and an overall enhancement in quality of life. These findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger trials. Trial registration The study protocol was retrospectively registered at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202401838955948). Date of registration is 16/01/2024. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb79dae0d3d044c8a9ca3259e3ba231e |
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| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
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| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb79dae0d3d044c8a9ca3259e3ba231e2025-08-20T02:11:29ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742024-10-0125111210.1186/s12891-024-07930-zEffect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trialAnis Jellad0Amine Kalai1Amr Chaabeni2Cyrine Ben Nasrallah3Atef Ben Nsir4Mahbouba Jguirim5Asma Belguith Sriha6Zohra Ben Salah Frih7Mohamed Hedi Bedoui8Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirLaboratory of Technology and Medical Imaging - LR12ES06, Center for Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of MonastirAbstract Background Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common condition, often associated with cervicogenic headache (CGH), a secondary headache arising from cervical spine disorders. Mechanical intermittent cervical traction (MICT) is frequently prescribed to treat CR symptoms. The purpose of the study was to make a preliminary estimate of efficacy of adding MICT to conventional rehabilitation on CGH in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods A total of 36 CR patients with CGH were randomly allocated to 3 equally sized groups (A, B and C). The treatment consisted of twelve sessions of conventional rehabilitation (4 weeks) combined with MICT (2 kg for group A, 8 kg for group B and 12 kg for group C). Primary outcomes were CGH intensity (visual analog scale) and frequency (days per week). Secondary outcomes were radicular pain intensity (visual analog scale), cervical range of motion (cervical range of motion instrument), proprioception (cervical range of motion instrument) and muscle strength (MicroFET2 dynamometer), handgrip strength (handheld dynamometer), function (Neck Disability Index), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for KInesiophobia), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depresion questionnaire), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life). Patients were assessed at baseline, one, three and six months after the beginning of treatment. The post hoc Dunn testing was used to determine which traction load had the better effect on CGH symptoms. Results At one, three and six months follow-ups, Group C exhibited the highest improvement in CGH intensity and frequency compared to the other groups (p = 0.021 and p = 0.023; p = 0.012 and p = 0.01; p = 0.005 and p = 0.005). Both groups C and B showed a significant improvement in radicular pain compared to group A at one month follow-up (p = 0.05).The improvement in group C was significantly better in terms of function (p = 0.049) and anxiety (p = 0.011) at three months and quality of life at six months (Psychological p = 0.046 and Environment p = 0.006). Conclusions The blend of conventional rehabilitation alongside 12 kg MICT seems to be efficacious in diminishing both the intensity and frequency of CGH in patients with CR. These advantages appear to last for up to six months following the treatment period, potentially leading to decreased CGH severity and occurrence rates, heightened functionality, reduced anxiety levels, and an overall enhancement in quality of life. These findings are preliminary and require confirmation in larger trials. Trial registration The study protocol was retrospectively registered at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202401838955948). Date of registration is 16/01/2024.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07930-zCervical radiculopathyCervicogenic headachePainRandomized trialCervical traction |
| spellingShingle | Anis Jellad Amine Kalai Amr Chaabeni Cyrine Ben Nasrallah Atef Ben Nsir Mahbouba Jguirim Asma Belguith Sriha Zohra Ben Salah Frih Mohamed Hedi Bedoui Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Cervical radiculopathy Cervicogenic headache Pain Randomized trial Cervical traction |
| title | Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy a preliminary randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Cervical radiculopathy Cervicogenic headache Pain Randomized trial Cervical traction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07930-z |
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