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Published on: February 10, 2026
Mechanical traction for neck pain with or without radiculopathy
Nadine Graham1, Anita Gross, Charles H Goldsmith
1School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 8-26 Legend Crt, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, L9K 1J3. nadinelino@sympatico.ca
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 23, 2008
Summary
Mechanical traction for neck disorders shows no proven benefit in reducing pain or improving function. More high-quality research is needed to determine its effectiveness for chronic neck pain with radicular symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Neck pain is a common and costly musculoskeletal complaint.
- Mechanical traction is frequently used in outpatient rehabilitation for neck disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of mechanical traction for neck disorders.
- Evaluate traction's impact on pain, function, and disability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to March 2008.
- Included studies compared mechanical traction (alone or combined) to placebo or other treatments.
- Independent review by authors with diverse clinical backgrounds.
Main Results:
- Only one of seven RCTs had a low risk of bias.
- No significant difference found between continuous traction and placebo for pain or function in chronic neck disorders with radicular symptoms.
- Insufficient evidence from low-bias RCTs to support or refute traction for neck disorders.
Conclusions:
- Current literature does not confirm the efficacy or effectiveness of mechanical traction for neck disorders.
- Further large, well-conducted RCTs are necessary to establish traction's role, particularly for neck disorders with radicular symptoms.
