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Review paper

Intermittent traction therapy in the treatment of chronic low back pain

By
Edina Tanović Orcid logo ,
Edina Tanović
Contact Edina Tanović

Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Centre of University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Damir Čelik ,
Damir Čelik
Đemil Omerović ,
Đemil Omerović

Ortopaedics and Traumatology Clinic, Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vanda Zovko Omeragić ,
Vanda Zovko Omeragić

Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amila Jaganjac ,
Amila Jaganjac

Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hadžan Konjo ,
Hadžan Konjo

Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Emina Rovčanin ,
Emina Rovčanin

Public Health Institution Pharmacies of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hana Omerović
Hana Omerović

Private Health Institution Verdant Pharmacies, Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim
To investigate the effect of intermittent traction therapy (ITT) on pain in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).
Methods
A total of 81 patients with CLBP were included: experimental group received ITT (n=40) and control group received
conservative physical treatment (n=41) 10 times for two weeks. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for measuring low back pain.
Results
In the experimental group, 26 (out of 40; 65.0%) patients were females, in the control group 20 (out of 41; 48.8%) were
females (p=0.141). In a within-group comparison, median of VAS value was significantly decreased in both groups after ITT. A comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention VAS value showed no statistically significant difference. Females from the experimental group had a significantly greater decrease of VAS compared with females from the control group. Patients in the ITT group with L5/S1 level of hernia had lower estimated marginal mean of VAS scale compared to the control group, as well the patients with left side of leg pain.
Conclusion
Intermittent traction therapy is an effective treatment for pain reduction in patients with chronic low back pain. 

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