Int J Physiother Res 2014;2(6):787-92. ISSN 2321-1822 787 Original Article EFFECTIVENESS OF TENS VERSUS INTERM ITTENT CERVICAL TRACTION IN PATIENTS W ITH CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY Himanshi Sharma *1 , Nirali Patel 2 . *1 Lecturer, Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Vadodara Gujarat, India. 2 BPT (Student-Intern), Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a dysfunction of nerve root of the cervical spine where C6& C7 nerve roots are the most commonly affected. It encompasses important symptoms other than pain, such as paresthesia, numbness and muscle weakness in dermatomal or myotomal distribution of an affected nerve root. A multitude of physical therapy interventions have been proposed to be effective in the management of cervical radiculopathy, including mechanical cervical traction, manipulation, therapeutic exercises and TENS. Studies to find out the effectiveness of TENS versus Intermittent Cervical Traction among patients with Cervical Radiculopathy are sparse. Hence the present study was undertaken to find out and compare the effectiveness of TENS versus Intermittent Cervical Traction a newer technique towards betterment in treatment of cervical radiculopathy patients. M ethodology: 30 patients from Baroda association for the blind (Lions club of Baroda), Subhanpura & Sushrut Physiotherapy Clinic, Akota were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A comprised of 15 people with cervical radiculopathy were given TENSwith Isometric neck exercises and active neck movements. Group B comprised of 15 people with cervical radiculopathy were given Intermittent Cervical Traction with Isometric neck exercise and active neck movements. VAS Scale & Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used as outcome measures pre & post treatment. Results: The pre test evaluation showed that, there is no significant difference (P> 0.05) between the two groups for all the variables measured. The post-test evaluation of both groups showed a very high significance (P< 0.05) within the group for all the outcome measurements. A post-test comparison of measured variables, between the groups showed that the Group A demonstrated a statistically significant (P< 0.05) reduction in pain and Neck Disability Index. Conclusion: From the above study concluded that TENS was more effective in the management of cervical radiculopathy along with isometricneck exercise, in reducing both neck & arm pain, neck disability & in improving activities of daily living. KEYW ORDS: Cervical Radiculopathy, TENS, Intermittent Cervical Traction Isometric Neck Exercise, Neck Disability Index. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Address for correspondence: Dr. Himanshi Sharma, M PT( M IAP), Lecturer, Pioneer Physiotherapy College, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. M obile No.: +918511157894 E-M ail: himanshi_anil@yahoo.co.in International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research, Int J Physiother Res 2014, Vol 2(6):787-92. ISSN 2321-1822 DOI: 10.16965/ijpr.2014.693 Cervical radiculopathy is a dysfunction of nerve root of the cervical spine where C6& C7 nerve roots are the most commonly affected. 1,2 In the younger population, it is a result of a disc herniation or an acute injury causing foraminal impingement of an existing nerve whereas in older patients, cervical radiculopathy is often a result of foraminal narrowing from osteophyte formation, decreased disc height, degenerative changes of the uncovertebral joints anteriorly Quick Response code Access this Article online International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research ISSN 2321- 1822 www.ijmhr.org/ ijpr.html Accepted : 11-11-2014 Published (O): 11-12-2014 Published (P): 11-12-2014 Received: 01-11-2014 Peer Review: 01-11-2014 Revised: 05-11-2014 DOI: 10.16965/ ijpr.2014.693