Effects of cervical mobilization and cervical traction on vertebral artery blood flow

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of posteroanterior cervical mobilization with and without cervical traction on blood flow in the vertebral artery. Methods Thirty healthy female volunteers (aged 19 to 25) were recruited and randomly divided into groups to receive either posteroanterior cervical mobilization or mobilization combined with traction. The order of administration of the mobilization and traction was randomized, with an interval of 2 days between the interventions. Color-flow Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the velocity of vertebral artery flow before and after the treatment. Results No significant differences in the average peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity or blood flow velocity were observed after mobilization alone compared with before the treatment. After the combined mobilization and traction there was also no significant difference in those indicators or in the resistance index compared with before the intervention. Conclusion Neither posteroanterior cervical mobilization, cervical traction nor their combination has any significant effect on blood flow in the vertebral artery. Key words: Posteroanterior mobilization; Cervix; Traction; Vertebral artery; Blood flow