Effects of Cervical Distraction Versus Cervical Traction Techniques on Pain, Range of Motion, and Function in Patients with Upper Cervical Pain

Background: Upper cervical pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting daily function and quality of life, yet limited research has directly compared the efficacy of cervical distraction and traction techniques in this region. Addressing this gap is essential for optimizing non-invasive treatment strategies. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of cervical traction and cervical distraction, combined with conventional physiotherapy, on pain intensity, functional disability, and cervical range of motion in patients with upper cervical pain. Methods: Forty participants (n = 40) with chronic upper cervical pain (≥ 3 months) were randomly assigned to a traction group (Group A, n = 20) or a distraction group (Group B, n = 20). Both groups underwent 20 treatment sessions over four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability via the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and range of motion (ROM) with a universal goniometer. Ethical approval was obtained (IRB No: NCT05393323), and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v27 with parametric and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). Results: Pain intensity significantly decreased in both groups (Group A: 7.0 to 2.0; Group B: 7.0 to 3.0; p < 0.05), with greater improvement in the traction group. NDI scores improved in both groups (Group A: 22.10% to 11.70%; Group B: 25.70% to 15.70%; p < 0.05). ROM improved significantly in all directions (p < 0.01), with traction yielding slightly superior outcomes. Conclusion: Both cervical traction and distraction effectively reduce pain and improve function, with traction demonstrating marginally better results. These findings support integrating both techniques into physiotherapy protocols for upper cervical pain management, warranting further research on long-term effects and individualized treatment strategies.