A cross-over randomized trial was designed to assess the immediate effect of cervical intermittent traction on balance disorders among patients diagnosed with common cervical neuropathy. The diagnosis is confirmed or made by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with 15 Y of experience treating musculoskeletal disorders especially cervical neuropathy. Enrolled patients are randomly assigned to one of two arms (1 or 2). Patients in arm 1 (Effective Traction/Sham Traction) are treated firstly with effective traction than one week later with sham traction. Patients in arm 2 (Sham Traction/Effective Traction) are treated firstly with sham traction than one week later with effective traction. At baseline the epidemiological parameters, the pain intensity (VAS), the grip strength, the functional status (NDI), the psychological distress (HAD), the Brief Best Test and the balance parameters (force platform) are assessed. The pain intensity, the grip strength and the balance parameters are assessed before and immediately after cervical traction for comparison.
A cross-over randomized trial aiming to assess the immediate effect of cervical traction on balance disorders among patients with common cervical neuropathy. Authors hypothesized that as cervical traction alleviate radicular pain it may also improve patient balance disorders. Effective traction is compared to sham traction.~Main outcome measures are balance parameters (force platform).