The effect of ambulatory lumbar traction combined with treadmill on patients with chronic low back pain

A prospective randomized study was conducted comparing vertical ambulatory traction in 41 patients (group 1) to 35 patients treated by the same traction device combined with daily walking for 12 days and than 8 more sessions on alternating days (group 2). The pain score, lumbar spine range of motion and satisfaction with treatment were examined 1,6 and 12 months following completion of treatment. The results demonstrated improvement in pain score and range of motion at each follow up examination. The pain improvement in group 2 was significantly better than in group 1. One year after completion of treatment, 63% of the patients from group 1 and 78% of the patients from group 2 were satisfied with the results.