Efficacy of Pneumatic Collar versus Hard Collar on Cervical Radiculopathy

Abstract

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively common neurological disorder. Various treatments have been proposed for cervical radiculopathy, but most of the studies in this regard have not been of high quality. This trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pneumatic collar versus hard collar among individuals with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods: This single-blinded, randomized, clinical trial was conducted on patients aged 18 to 65 years referring to Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Iran, with cervical radicular pain. The 60 patients included in the survey were randomly divided into two groups to receive either pneumatic collar or hard collar. The required data were gathered via medical history and cervical MRI. Pain, disability, and cervical range of motion (ROM) were assessed, respectively, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and a goniometer at baseline, and on the second and eighth weeks. Data were entered into SPSS software for analysis.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 49.7 ± 8.2 years, and 58.3% of the participants were men. Intragroup analysis showed that decrease in pain intensity (VAS) and disability was significant on the second and eighth weeks in both groups (P < 0.001). Moreover, cervical ROM was significantly increased on the second and eighth weeks in both groups (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of VAS, NDI, and cervical ROM on the second and eighth weeks (P > 0.050).

Conclusion: The present study showed no significant difference in reducing pain, and improving function and cervical ROM in patients with acute cervical radiculopathy in week 2 and 8 follow-ups between pneumatic collar and hard collar treatments. However, both treatments were significantly effective.