A randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of the upper limb tension test on the treatment and management of pain and range of motion in patients diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy

Abstract

Introduction: The clinical diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy is a disorder of the nerve root that can be caused by
a herniated disc, a spur, or cervical osteophyte. This condition is classified as a radiculopathy. Cervical
radiculopathy is a common disease that affects the spinal cord. It is also the most common cause of arm pain and
significant functional limitation. Cervical radiculopathy can occur at any point along the cervical spine.
Methods: Two arms parallel pretest-posttest experimental research design. Random sampling with total number
of 40 subjects who have been diagnosed my medical doctors were selected by simple purposive random sampling
method after giving due consideration to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: The independent t-test further revealed that the readings which we got after the intervention were
different and this difference was statistically significant. All the dependent variables, flexion (t=-6.0303, p=0.0001),
extension (t=-4.0628, p=0.0002), side flexion to right (t=-5.4393, p=0.0001), side flexion to left (t=-3.9808, p=0.0003),
and VAS (t=3.758, p=0.001) showed statistically significant difference after the treatment.
Conclusions: This study concluded that the Upper Limb Tension Test does reduce pain, symptoms and improve
the range of motion for the cervical spine.