What is the Distraction Test used for?

Confirming Cervical Radiculopathy by relieving symptoms.

How do you perform the Distraction Test?

Position: Patient lies supine (on their back).Action: Place one hand under the chin and the other under the base of the skull (occiput).Force: Gently pull the head away from the body (traction force).

What is a positive result for the Distraction Test?

Positive Test: The patient's arm pain or numbness disappears or decreases.Why: Traction opens the neural foramen, taking pressure off the compressed nerve root.

What is the diagnostic accuracy of the Distraction Test?

Sensitivity: 44%Specificity: 97%

Distraction Test – Spine Special Test

What is it used for?

Confirming Cervical Radiculopathy by relieving symptoms.

How to Perform

Position: Patient lies supine (on their back).
Action: Place one hand under the chin and the other under the base of the skull (occiput).
Force: Gently pull the head away from the body (traction force).

Interpretation of Results

Positive Test: The patient's arm pain or numbness disappears or decreases.
Why: Traction opens the neural foramen, taking pressure off the compressed nerve root.

Diagnostic Accuracy

Sensitivity: 44%
Specificity: 97%

Clinical Context & Limitations

The Distraction Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.

Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Spine region, combining the Distraction Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.