Comparison of effect of spinal decompression therapy in prone and supine positions on pain and walking duration in subjects with lumbar radiculopathy

Background: Spinal Decompression Therapy (DTS) has been widely in use for subjects having low back pain with or without lower extremity pain. However, the studies have not been able to provide a recommended position for the application. Hence, this study was done to determine whether DTS in supine and prone position is effective in improving pain and walking duration and to compare effectiveness of both the positions.
Method: 40 subjects diagnosed as having Lumbar radiculopathy by an orthopedician were included in the study. They were divided into two groups by convenience sampling where Group A received the DTS in the prone position whereas Group B received it in the supine position for 20 days along with Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot water fomentation and cold pack and core stabilization exercises.
Results: There was statistically significant improvement in both the groups for pain and walking duration (p<0.001). There was statistically significant improvement between the groups for pain (p=0.011) but no difference for walking duration (p=0.315).
Conclusion: Both prone and supine positions are helpful in improving pain and walking duration but prone position is better than supine position for pain relief for subjects having low back pain.