Assessment of the influence of Saunders traction and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on hand grip force in patients with neck pain.

BACKGROUND Spinal pain syndromes are among the most frequent causes of ill health. Long-lasting sustained overload results in a critical decrease in the distance between neighbouring vertebrae and radiation of pain. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cervical traction and the TENS method on the strength of painless grip and maximum strength of the arm flexors. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 45 patients with overload-induced cervical pain, ranging in age from 21 to 66 years. The patients underwent a therapy based on the Saunders traction device and the TENS method. The traction force was regulated so that the patient would feel noticeable but painless traction. The TENS procedure was performed using the conventional method. The patients were divided into three groups. The Saunders traction device was used in the first group, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and traction were applied in the second group, while the patients in the third group were received TENS only. Each patient underwent 10 treatment sessions with intervals between sessions not exceeding three days. RESULTS The results showed the greatest improvement in the strength of painless hand grip. Maximum strength increased only on the left side in the group which received only the traction treatment. CONCLUSIONS The use of the Saunders cervical traction device produced an increase in painless hand grip strength in patients with cervical spine pain. Both treatments had a limited effect on maximum hand grip strength.