ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intermittent cervical Traction in sitting vs. supine position for the management of cervical radiculopathy
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was done to compare pain and disability modification of cervical radiculopathy patients by using cervical traction in sitting and supine positions. Forty patients [males and females aged between 18-60 years with chronic cervical radiculopathy] were recruited for the trial. Participants were randomized into two homogeneous groups by dice method. The Group-A [n=20] received 3-weeks of intermittent cervical traction in sitting position along with Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation [TENS] and hot pack. The Group-B [n=20] received the same treatment except the intermittent cervical traction that was applied in supine position. Participants were assessed two times: at baseline [week 0] and at the termination of rehabilitation [week 3]. Neck disability index was used to collect the data before and after the treatment
Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.15+/-8.99 vs. 48.80+/-6.89 years in Group-A vs. Group-B respectively. Mean [+/-S.D.] weight of the patients was 74.75+/-12.11 vs. 74.60+/-11.24 kg in Group-A vs. Group-B respectively. Mean Neck Disability Index score at start of treatment was 30.30+/-7.46 vs. 30.75+/-7.85 in Group-A and Group-B respectively. There was a significant difference in Group-A and Group-B regarding aggregate NDI score at the end of treatment [19.45+/-7.12 vs. 11.05+/-4.40; p<0.0001]
Conclusion: Supine position is better choice for applying cervical traction as compared to sitting position for the management of cervical radiculopathy comparing post interventional NDI score
ABSTRACT
Background: Primary dysmenorrhoea is health related problem within females with high prevalence affecting different aspects of their life and their productivity. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of stretching exercises done during symptomatic and asymptomatic phase of menstrual cycle in primary dysmenorrhea
Methods: Randomized controlled trial [RCT] [double blinded] study was carried out at Royal group of colleges Gujranwala, Pakistan. Sixty six students with confirmed diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhoea were included through non-probability convenience sampling. The students were randomly assigned to two equal [n=33] groups: Asymptomatic [A] and Symptomatic [B]. Each student was assessed for pain and associated symptoms of dysmenorrhoea by using numeric pain rating scale and Daily record of severity of problems [DRSP]. Stretching exercises were performed thrice per week for group A which did exercises during asymptomatic phase and same exercises were done twice a day for group B only in symptomatic days. Both groups did exercises for three months. Data was taken at baseline and post menstrual phase of three successive menstrual cycles. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20. An independent samples t test was used to compare both groups and repeated measures ANOVA was used to find the intervention-based effects within each group
Results: Mean age of students was 21.29+/-2.60 [Year], mean weight was 52.70+/-4.81 [Kg], mean age at menarche was 13.18+/-1.11 [Year] and mean BMI was 16.87+/-0.81 [Kg/m2 ]. Both groups were comparable at baseline for age, weight, BMI and age at menarche as p>0.05. Significant changes for pain and associated symptoms were found within each group [p>0.05]
Conclusion: It is concluded that stretching exercises in symptomatic phase and asymptomatic phase are equally effective to relieve pain and associated symptoms of Primary Dysmenorrhoea