Trial reportBMC musculoskeletal disorders2024
Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Jingtong Granules for Cervicogenic Headache: Clinical Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Translational Potential.Drug design, development and therapy · 2026Pooled it
- Effect of cervical traction on balance parameters in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a randomized controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Trial
- Role of Exosomes from Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Attenuating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Inhibiting Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis via the miR-8485/GSK-3β/Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Axis.Current molecular medicine · 2026Article
- Improvement of occipital neuralgia by pulsed radiofrequency of the greater occipital nerve combined with local magnesium sulfate injection: a randomized controlled study.Frontiers in physiology · 2026Article
- Effect of interference electrotherapy combined with rotary traction manipulation on cervical function and recurrence in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.American journal of translational research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCervical 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.
methodsA 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.
resultsAt 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).
conclusionsThe 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 registrationThe study protocol was retrospectively registered at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202401838955948). Date of registration is 16/01/2024.
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