EFFECTS OF PHONOPHORESIS WITH AND WITHOUT MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE ON PAIN, CERVICAL RANGE OF MOTION AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY; A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The muscle energy technique and phonophoresis interventions are incredibly affordable, non-invasive and efcient in treating pain and muscle spasms, enhancing the range of motion and reducing functional impairment in degenerative cervical cancer radiculopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of phonophoresis with and without muscle energy technique on pain, cervical range of motion and functional disability in patients with degenerative cervical radiculopathy.
MATERIAL & METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the physical therapy OPD of Allied hospital, Faisalabad. Fifty individuals with degenerative cervical radiculopathy were recruited for the study. They were randomized into two groups where group A received ketoprofen phonophoresis along with muscle energy technique. Meanwhile, group B received ketoprofen phonophoresis. Both groups also received conventional therapy. Participants in both groups received their respective therapy in 12 sessions and four weeks. Primary outcome measures were pain intensity and active range of motion. The secondary variable was functional
disability. These were monitored three times: before treatment, in 2nd week, and 4th week.

RESULTS: Mean age was almost 44 years in group A and 42 years in group B. Both groups showed improvement in all statistically significant variables within the group. In between groups analysis, group A showed significant results statically in reducing pain, ROMs, and functional disability, i.e. (p<0.05). Group A s howed more improvement except for contralateral lateral exion and contralateral rotation, but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Phonophoresis is found to be good for cervical radiculopathy treatment, but its coupling with MET is more beneficial in improving ROMs and reducing pain and functional disability.