Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is a disease induces pain and/or sensorimotor deficits due to compression of a cervical nerve root and it can be a debilitating disease that can cause significant impairment for patients. Purpose: The main purpose was to investigate the effect of Sustained Natural Accessory Apophyseal Glides (SNAGS) on, dermatomal somatosensory evoked potential (DSEP); latency and amplitude, pain and neck disability level in chronic unilateral cervical radiculopathy patients. Subjects: Fifty patients of both genders with chronic unilateral cervical radiculopathy their ages ranged from 40 to 55 years old, recruited from Abo-Queir Health Insurance Association Hospital. They were assigned randomly to two equal groups; control group received conventional physical therapy program and study group received the same conventional physical therapy program in addition to SNAGS Mulligan technique. For both groups, treatment conducted for 4 weeks, 3 sessions/week. Measurement of pain intensity by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), DSEP (latency and amplitude) by computerized electromyography and functional disability level by Neck disability index (NDI) were reported before and at the end of the treatment. Results: There was a significant reduction of DSEP latency with significant increase of DSEP amplitude, and significant decreased pain and NDI, in both groups (P<0.05). Comparison between post treatment values of DSEP amplitude, NPRS and NDI showed significant difference with more improvement in study group. Conclusion: Mulligan SNAGS is an effective technique in treatment of chronic cervical radiculopathy patients, as it improves DSEP (latency and amplitude), pain and functional disability

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