Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lumbar extension traction in patients
with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy due to L5-S1 disc herniation. DESIGN: A
randomized controlled study with six-month follow-up.
SETTING: University
research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four patients with confirmed unilateral
lumbosacral radiculopathy due to L5-S1 disc herniation and a lumbar lordotic
angle less than 39 degrees , randomly assigned to traction or control group.
INTERVENTIONS: The control group (n = 32) received hot packs and interferential
therapy, whereas the traction group (n = 32) received lumbar extension traction
in addition to hot packs and interferential therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Absolute rotatory angle, back and leg pain rating scale, Oswestry Disability
Index, Modified Schober test, H-reflex (latency and amplitude) and intervertebral
movements were measured for all patients three times (before treatment, after 10
weeks of treatment and at six-month follow-up). RESULTS: There was a significant
difference between the traction group and the control group adjusted to baseline
values at 10 weeks post treatment with respect to: absolute rotatory angle (P <
0.001), Oswestry Disability Index (P = 0.002), back and leg pain (P = 0.009, P =
0.005), Modified Schober test (P = 0.002), latency and amplitude of H-reflex (P =
0.01, P < 0.001), intervertebral movements (P < 0.05). At six-month follow-up
there were statistically significant differences between the study and control
groups for all the previous variables (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The traction group receiving lumbar extension traction in addition to hot packs and interferential
therapy had better effects than the control group with regard to pain,
disability, H-reflex parameters and segmental intervertebral movements.

Langue : ANGLAIS