Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background:Cervical radiculopathy is a nerve root pathology that causes chronic physical and psychological disabilities. Treatment should not focus only on underlying pathology but also related psychological factors. Cognitive behavioral therapy integrated with physical therapy appear to be the hallmark treatment for chronic radicular pain. Purpose: to investigate the effectiveness of adding cognitive behavioral therapy to physical therapy in the short and medium term for physical and psychological disabilities in chronic cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Sixty patients from both gender with age between 45 and 65 yearsdiagnosed as chronic spondylotic cervical radiculopathy were assigned randomly into two groups: Group A (control group): 30 patients received a physical therapy program of manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for eighteen sessions over 6 weeks period (3 sessions/week). Group B (study group):30 patients received the same program as group (A) plus cognitive behavioral therapy. Neck pain and function through neck disability index, Pain-related anxiety through pain anxiety symptoms scale, and cervical range of motion were measured pretreatment as a baseline, immediately post-treatment, and at 6 months for follow up

Issued also as CD