Effectiveness of hyper and hypothermic application revulsively on range of motion, symptom score and quality of life in patients with cervical spondylosis: a randomized controlled trial

Cervical spondylosis (CS) is a degenerative age-related disorder affecting the cervical region of the spinal cord which manifests mainly with radiating pain in the neck, numbness in fingers, and headache. To control the symptoms and manage the disease progression, a combination of Complementary and Alternative Medicine with conventional management is necessary. Hence this study is aimed to evaluate the effect of Revulsive Compress (RC) along with the Integrated Naturopathy and Yoga (INY) approach in patients with CS. Out of 210 subjects screened, 60 subjects between the ages of 40 to 85 years were selected for the study. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, Group 1 (n = 30) Case group taking RC with INY and Group 2 (n = 30) control group taking only INY protocol for 10 days. Pain, Symptom score, Range of Motion (ROM), and Quality of life (QOL) were assessed before and after the intervention on the 11th day. The result of this study shows that with 10 days of RC and INY intervention, there was a significant reduction in the pain [Visual analog scale (VAS): p = 0.001] and symptom score [Neck disability index: p = 0.001] when compared to the control group. There was a significant improvement in QOL and ROM. The results of this study show that RC intervention with INY is having a substantial effect on patients with CS. Pain and Symptom score have been reduced significantly with marked improvement in QOL and ROM. Hence, this intervention can be used in the management of patients with CS, either as an individual or accompanied by management.