Effect of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy on walking duration in subjects with lumbar radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy is a prevalent complaint (12–40%) made by subjects with low back pain. It causes various functional limitations such as gait deviations and reduction of walking duration. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy (DTS) is a relatively newer technology that has changed the management of lumbar radiculopathy. It has been found to relieve pain, improve neurologic symptoms, improve disk height, and reduce intervertebral pressures in various spinal pathologies. There are relatively few studies that have tried to focus on the effect of DTS on walking duration, though. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of non-surgical DTS on walking duration in subjects with lumbar radiculopathy. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial using a random number generator was done with 80 subjects having lumbar radiculopathy. Forty subjects were included in each group. The experimental received 20 sessions of DTS, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot water fomentation, core stabilization exercises, and lower extremity strengthening exercises. The control group received the same intervention except DTS. Results: Both groups showed improvements in the walking duration post-intervention (P < 0.001). However, the experimental group better improvement than the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: DTS is effective in improving walking duration in subjects with lumbar radiculopathy.