The Effect of Cervical Traction on the Cardiovascular System in Normotensive Volunteers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cervical traction therapy on the cardiovascular parameters of normotensive volunteers. Thirty subjects (21 males and 9 females) were recruited into the study. The mean age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were 43.90 ± 12.37 (range = 25 – 64) years, 66.78 ± 6.26 (range = 58 – 75)kg, 1.64 ± 0.07 range (1.50 – 1.75) meters and 24.81 ± 1.33, respectively. The subjects' cardiovascular responses (CVR) were monitored in supine resting position (baseline) and under two experimental conditions using the subjects 7.5%kg total body weight (TBW) and 10% TBW. As compared to the baseline data, we obtained significant (P < 0.05) decreases in SBP, DBP, MAP and RPP responses for the 7.5% TBW treatment condition, but not for the 10% TBW treatment condition. The HR and the ECG parameters (PR, RR intervals and QRS complex) did not change significantly (P > 0.05) from the baseline for both experimental conditions. Nine subjects had untoward reaction following the application of traction while 21 subjects had no negative reaction. The findings suggest that clinicians should monitor the blood pressure of patients during cervical traction rehabilitation especially those with unstable cardiorespiratory system.


KEY WORDS: Cervical traction, blood pressure, ECG, mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product.


Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2004: 100-104