Assessment of the cervical spine range of motion after the use of the saunders traction device in different positioning of the upper extremities.

Background: Among the procedures used in the therapy of spinal pain syndromes one of the most frequently recommended is the cervical traction. The methods of performing the traction are varied.

Objectives: It was decided to examine in the research whether the abduction and external rotation of the brachium, causing relaxation of the pectoral girdle muscles as well as the cervical spine, affects the quality and efficiency of traction in the patient's subjective assessment and the changes in the cervical spine range of motion.

Material And Methods: Fifty subjects aged 20 to 42 were involved in the study, including 26 women and 24 men. The criterion of inclusion into the research project was the age between 20 and 40 years and the result of questionnaire containing the NDI scale for evaluation of the degree of dysfunction of the cervical spine, ranging in value between 5 and 14 points. The admitted group of 50 subjects was randomly divided into two experimental groups. The traction of the cervical spine was performed twice in both groups by means of the Saunders device. In the first group used the traditional positing, with the upper extremities placed along the torso, was adapted as first whereas in the second group the modified position was applied, in which the upper extremities were in the external rotation in abduction and with flexion in the cubital articulation, in other words the patients placed their hands next to head. In both cases the patient was in the supine position on a therapeutic table with a support roll under the knees.

Results: The evaluation of the cervical spine range of motion pointed, that in both position all the obtained differences proved statistical significance. The subjects taking part in the research claimed that the procedure performed by means of the traditional method was more pleasant.

Conclusions: No significant difference was discovered in the effectiveness of the suggested positioning of the arms during performing the traction procedure of the cervical spine. The modified position caused greater sensation of discomfort than position with traditional arrangement of the arms.