Inversion therapy in patients with pure single level lumbar discogenic disease: a pilot randomized trial

Prasad, Manjunath, Gregson, Barbara, Hargreaves, Gerard, Byrnes, Tiernan, Winburn, Philip and Mendelow, Alexander David (2012) Inversion therapy in patients with pure single level lumbar discogenic disease: a pilot randomized trial. Disability and Rehabilitation, 34 (17). pp. 1473-1480. ISSN 0963-8288

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.647231

Abstract

Purpose: Backache and sciatica due to protuberant disc disease is a major cause of lost working days and health expenditure. Surgery is a well-established option in the management flowchart. There is no strong evidence proving that traction for sciatica is effective. We report a pilot prospective randomized controlled trial comparing inversion traction and physiotherapy with standard physiotherapy alone in patients awaiting lumbar disc surgery. This study sought to study the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial on the effect of inversion therapy in patients with single level lumbar discogenic disease, who had been listed for surgery.

Methods: This was a single centre prospective randomized controlled trial undertaken at the Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. It was a prospective randomized controlled trial where patients awaiting surgery for pure lumbar discogenic disease within the ambit of the prestated inclusion/exclusion criteria were allocated to either physiotherapy or physiotherapy and intermittent traction with an inversion device. Post-treatment assessment made by blinded observers at 6 weeks for various outcome measures included the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) Score, Short Form 36 (SF 36), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Pain Score (VAS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance and the need for surgery. Avoidance of surgery was considered a treatment success.

Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled and 24 were randomized [13 to inversion + physiotherapy and 11 to physiotherapy alone (control)]. Surgery was avoided in 10 patients (76.9%) in the inversion group, whereas it was averted in only two patients (22.2%) in the control group. Cancellation of the proposed operation was a clinical decision based on the same criteria by which the patient was listed for surgery initially. There were no significant differences in the RMDQ, SF 36, ODI, VAS or MRI results between the two groups.

Conclusion: Intermittent traction with an inversion device resulted in a significant reduction in the need for surgery. A larger multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial is justified in patients with sciatica due to single level lumbar disc protrusions.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638288.2011.647231

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: avoidance of surgery, inversion therapy, traction
Subjects: A300 Clinical Medicine
B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Ay Okpokam
Date Deposited: 19 Apr 2012 08:00
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2019 14:38
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6282

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics