Effects of Mulligan Belt Traction Versus Fisted Traction in Patients With Lower Cervical Spine Radiculopathy

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

• Ages 25 to 60 years
• All sexes
• No healthy volunteers
• Adult

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

About this study

Official title: Effects of Mulligan Belt Traction Versus Fisted Traction on Pain, Range of Motion and Disability Level in Patients With Lower Cervical Spine Radiculopathy

Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy

Being tested

muligan belt traction, Fisted traction

Keywords

cervical spine rediculopathy, muligan belt traction, fisted traction, pain and disability

Medical subject headings

Radiculopathy, Pain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

• muligan belt tractionOther

  Patient Position:

  • The Patient lies supine on the treatment table.
  • Head in neutral or slightly flexed position (according to comfort and symptoms).
  • Arms rest by the sides.

  Therapist Position:

  • Therapist stands at the head end of table, therapist places the middle finger on the concerned cervical segment.
  • To maintain joint contact and control movement at the level.

  Belt Placement:

  • The Mulligan belt is positioned at an angle to apply gentle traction targeting the lower cervical spine (C5-C7) (16)
  • Make sure there is no pressure on the throat or jaw.

  Application of Traction:

  • While maintaining contact at the target segment, therapist leans backward, to apply gentle sustained and controlled traction (distraction force) along the line of the cervical spine.
  • This help to open up the intervertebral foramen, reduce nerve compression and restore normal joint mechanics. (17)

  Duration:

  • Traction is applied for 10-30 seconds per repetition, repeated 3-5 times per session base

• Fisted tractionOther

  Sit upright in a chair with back support.

  • Keep your spine straight and head in a neutral position.

  Hand Placement:

  • One fist is placed at the upper chest\sternum, acting as a fulcrum.
  • A towel is used between the fist and chest for comfort and positioning.(18)
  • The opposite hand is placed around the back of head (occiput).

  Traction Technique:

  • The head is pulled forward and down, guiding cervical flexion over the fist.
  • Maintain for 10-15 seconds, repeat 5-10 times, depending on comfort.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

1. Neck Disability Index

   The NDI contains 10 items - 7 relating to activities of daily living, 2 relating to pain and 1 relating to concentration items is scored from 0-5, and the total score is expressed as a percentage (total possible score, 100%), with higher scores corresponding to greater disability. Scoring the NDI: 0 - 4 = No disability 5 - 14 = Mild disability 15 - 24 = Moderate disability 25 - 34 = Severe disability 35 or over = Complete disability

   Measured: baseline to 4 week

2. Numeric pain rating scale

   The NPRS is a reliable and effective tool for measuring pain. A straight line is drawn on the evaluation sheet, labeled from '0' to '10', where '0' represents no pain and '10' indicates the worst possible pain. Patients are asked to mark a point on the line that reflects the intensity of pain they are experiencing at the time of assessment

   Measured: baseline to 4 week

3. Cervical Range of Motion

   Cervical Flexion (Looking Down) Position: The patient sits upright. Goniometer Axis: Placed at the external auditory meatus (ear). Stationary Arm: Kept perpendicular to the floor. Moving Arm: Aligned with the base of the nose. Normal Range: 0 to 45 degrees 2 Cervical Extension (Looking Up) Position: Patient remains seated upright. Goniometer Axis: Centered at the external auditory meatus. Stationary Arm: Vertical, perpendicular to the floor. Moving Arm: Follows the line of the nose. Normal Range: 0 to 45 degrees

   1. Cervical Lateral Flexion (Side Bending) Position: Patient sits straight. Goniometer Axis: Over the C7 spinous process. Stationary Arm: Aligned vertically along the spine. Moving Arm: Follows the midline of the head toward the occipital bone. Normal Range: 0 to 45 degrees 4.Cervical Rotation (Turning Head Side to Side) Position: Patient remains upright. Goniometer Axis: Placed at the top center of the head. Stationary Arm: Imaginary line between both shoulder tips.

   Measured: baseline to 4 week

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

1. First posted5 Jun 2026
2. Study start2 Jul 2025
3. Primary completion6 Aug 2026 (estimated)
4. Study completion4 Sep 2026 (estimated)

Resources

• Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
• Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
• Other trials for Cervical RadiculopathyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
• More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
• What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.