To Compare the Effectiveness of Manual Traction and Mechanical Traction in Patient with Cervicogenic Headache

Abstract: Context: - Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary headache arising from cervical spine dysfunction. Both manual traction (MT) and mechanical traction are widely used physiotherapeutic modalities for the management of CGH. Aims: - To compare the effectiveness of manual traction and mechanical traction in reducing pain intensity and improving functional outcomes in patients with CGH. Study design: - Experimental study (Pre-test, post-test matched pair design) Setting: - Outpatient Physiotherapy clinic. Material and Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with CGH, randomly assigned into two groups (n = 30 each). Group A received manual traction, while Group B received mechanical traction. Both groups underwent intervention for 4 weeks (3 sessions/week). Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS), neck disability (Neck Disability Index - NDI), and cervical range of motion (CROM) were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Statistical analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0. The software package and statistical test used are paired t-tests to compare the effectiveness of associated functional disability. A significant value of P <0.05 was set. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement post-intervention. However, Group A (manual traction) showed. Significantly greater reduction in VAS and NDI scores compared to Group B (mechanical traction) (p < 0.05). CROM improvement was also more pronounced in the manual traction group. Conclusion: Manual traction appears to be more effective than mechanical traction in reducing pain and improving function in patients with cervicogenic headaches.