Randomised Controlled Trial for the Efficacy of Cervical Lateral Glide Mobilisation in the Management of Cervicobrachial Pain

Objectives: To investigate the long-term efficacy of lateral glide mobilisation for patients with chronic Cervicobrachial Pain (CP). Methods: A randomised controlled trial which involved ninetynine participants with chronic CP. Participants were randomised to receive either the lateral glide with self-management (n = 49) or self-management alone (n = 50). Four assessments were made (at baseline and 6, 26 and 52 weeks post intervention). The primary outcome measure was the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Patient perceived recovery used the Global Rating of Change score (GROC). Functional outcomes included the Neck and Upper Limb Index score (NULI) and the Short-From 36 (SF36). Costs and reported number of harmful effects in response to intervention were evaluated. An intention to treat approach was followed for data analysis. Results: No statistically significant between-group differences were found for pain (using VAS) in the short-term at six weeks (p = 0.52; 95% CI −14.72 to 7.44) or long-term at one year (p = 0.37; 95% CI −17.76 to 6.61) post-intervention. The VAS outcomes correlated well with GROC scores (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in NULI scores favouring self-management alone (p = 0.03), but no between-group differences for SF36 (p = 0.07). The cost of providing lateral glide and self-management was twice that of providing self-management alone. Minor harm was reported in both groups, with 11% more harm being associated with the lateral glide. Conclusion: In patients with chronic CP, the addition of a lateral-glide mobilization to a self-management program did not produce improved outcomes and resulted in higher health-care costs.