Effects of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction on pain and functional disability in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse

Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc is one of the most prevalent causes of low back pain and traction is one of the most common physical therapy treatments offered to affected patients. Advancements in traction equipment are needed to ensure their effectiveness in clinical situations.

The objective of the study was to find out the effect of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction on pain and functional disability in individuals with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse.

Original article and Experimental design. Twenty-five participants (age range: 34-67 years) diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were included in this study. Patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction was given as three sessions per week for the duration of one month. All participants completed a 10-cm visual analog pain scale and pain pressure threshold to assess pain and the Oswestry disability index to assess the functional disability.

On pre to post interventions, a significant change in mean values were found for visual analog scale pain score, pain pressure threshold, and Oswestry disability index (P < 0.001). The pain intensity was reduced from 8.5 to 3.2, pain pressure threshold increased from 0.7 to 1.6 kg/cm², and functional disability was reduced from 53.5% to 31.3%.

Twelve sessions of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction promoted a reduction in pain and improvement in functional disability among subjects with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse.