Manual traction is effective in alleviating lumbosacral spine pain: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Manual traction, a therapeutic technique frequently employed in healthcare, involves applying controlled pulling force by hand, usually to the spine, to stretch muscles and decompress joints, thereby alleviating pain. This method can be particularly beneficial for addressing lumbosacral spine pain exacerbated by radicular symptoms, characterized by pain radiating from the lower back due to compression or irritation of spinal nerves. Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of manual traction against control group in alleviating the lumbosacral spine pain caused by radicular symptoms. Methods: A randomized controlled study design was utilized with a sample of 60 patients experiencing lumbosacral spine pain, evenly distributed between an experimental group (n = 30; receiving manual traction) and a control group (n = 30). Patients underwent assessments before and after six treatment sessions, which included the Straight Leg Raise test, modified Bragard's test, Kernig's test, and the visual analogue scale for pain perception. Results: Between-group significant differences were found at post-intervention, favoring the experimental group on SLR - Left (°) (p = 0.004; medium effect size), SLR - Right (°) (p = 0.004; medium effect size), Modified Bragard test - Left (°) (p = 0.024; small effect size), Modified Bragard test - Right (°) (p = 0.003; medium effect size), Kernig's Test - Left (°) (p = 0.013; medium effect size) and Kernig's Test - Right (°) (p = 0.010; medium effect size). Additionally, between-group significant differences were found at post-intervention, favoring the experimental group on VAS scores at SLR left (p < 0.001; medium effect size), and right (p < 0.001); medium effect size, Modified Bragard test left (p < 0.001; medium effect size) and right (p < 0.001; medium effect size) and at Kernig's Test left (p < 0.001; medium effect size) and right (p < 0.001; medium effect size). Conclusions: In conclusion, manual traction is recommended as an effective approach for alleviating lumbosacral spine pain in patients experiencing symptoms resulting from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root.

Relationships of anxiety and depressive symptoms with pain perception in post-mastectomy women. An intragroup analysis

Abstract Background Breast cancer confronts women with a threat to life and is classified among the most traumatic life experiences. The disease is often accompanied by strong negative emotions, often in the form of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Studies also point to the presence of chronic pain breast-cancer survivors. Objective To determine the relationships of: (1) anxiety and depressive symptoms with the experienced severity and interference of pain in post-mastectomy women; (2) anxiety and depressive symptoms with beliefs about pain. Method The studied group consisted of 53 women after radical mastectomy, experiencing chronic pain, despite positive results of cancer treatment. IPQ-R (Illness Perception Questionnaire – Revised) and HADS (The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were applied. Results Correlation and regression analyses confirmed relationships of anxiety and depressive symptoms with pain in the group of post-mastectomy women. Cluster analysis separated three groups of patients, differing in the severity of depressive symptoms and anxiety. For each group, a different pattern of beliefs about pain was characteristic. Discussion The study has shown that psychological determinants play a significant role in the perception of pain severity and interference, which are related to anxiety, depressive symptoms and a system of beliefs about pain duration.