Blood pressure and pulse rate changes associated with cervical traction

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out at the Physiotherapy unit of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, to observe the effects of continuous cervical traction for 10 minutes on arterial blood pressure and pulse rate.

Methods: Forty healthy subjects free of any cardiovascular complications, participated in the study. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse rate (PR), were recorded before, during and after the application of cervical traction 10% body weight, using spty-pulse 2000 Electronic sphygmomanometer.

Result: Analysis of variance showed statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse rate (PR) from 114.6+10.4mmHg, 72.4+9.5mmHg and 71.7+5.9 beats/min to 123.5+9.8mmHg, 77.9+8.9mmHg and 78.2+5.7 beats/min respectively following traction.

Conclusion: It is advised that clinicians should comprehensively assess all cardiovascular parameters of patients before applying cervical traction.

Keywords: cervical spondylosis, traction cardiovascular parameters

Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(2) 2006: 141-143