The immediate effect of spinal adjustive therapy on joint position sense of the cervical spine

• Main Author: Young, Charmaine
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: Chiropractic treatment; Posture disorders; Proprioception
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3092

M. Tech. === There is still much to be learnt about proprioception and it’s role in postural control mechanisms. Joint position sense accuracy has been developed as a means to evaluate proprioception and extensive studies have been performed on patients with chronic neck pain. To date, there has been limited research that has been conducted on the various therapeutic modalities, which may affect joint position sense accuracy and proprioception. However, no research has been performed on patients who are asymptomatic, to determine the true effects of Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy on joint position sense accuracy and proprioception. Chiropractic Cervical adjustive techniques are delivered by hand and bring about neurophysiological change within the nervous system. It is not known exactly how long the effects of the Chiropractic adjustment lasts and it is only speculated that the shortterm effects are over a twenty minute period, as cavitation of the joint occurs (Gatterman, 2005; Herzog, 2000). The purpose of this research was to determine if Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy of the cervical spine could produce an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy, in participants who were asymptomatic and only presenting with hypomobile joint dysfunction. A random sample of 60 participants, presenting with no history of pain, were assessed for hypomobile joint dysfunction. All participants underwent a full Case History, Pertinent Physical examination and a Regional Examination of the Cervical Spine. Each participant had to complete the Subject Information and Consent Form. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy and Group B received detuned ultrasound, and was therefore the control group. The cervical range of motion (CROM) device was placed on the participant’s head, aligned on the bridge of the nose and ears. It was secured, behind the head, by a velcro strap. The CROM device was also mounted with a laser beam device. This enabled objective readings to be recorded, as each participant performed the Cervicocephalic Kinesthetic Sensibility Test. The procedure required the participant to alternatively rotate their head to the left and then to the right, as objective readings was recorded. Readings were taken before treatment was administered and then again after treatment was administered. The pre-treatment scores and post-treatment scores between the two groups were compared, using the paired samples test. The objective analyses showed that Group A (adjustment group) showed better results in improved joint position accuracy, in comparison to Group B (control group). The preliminary findings of this study show that Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy has an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy. This has major implications with respect to the vital role that Chiropractic cervical adjustments may have, on maintaining proprioceptive input and postural control mechanisms. The duration, by which Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy effects joint position sense accuracy is unknown and further investigation into this, is still required.