Abstract
Introduction:Approximately one hundred and fifty million people worldwide suffer from sleep disturbances.
In South Africa, thirty one percent of women and twenty seven percent of men have reported difficulty with
sleep (Breus, 2012). Sleep deprivation results in problems such as impaired brain activity, cognitive
dysfunctions and, in some cases, serious health problems such as heart attacks, high blood pressure and
strokes. It can also result in problems such as impaired memory, hallucinations, depression, moodiness,
weakened immune response and weight gain.
There are many treatment approaches to sleep disturbances, ranging from psychology sessions to
treatment with sleep medication. There also are many claims in the form of patient’s comments,
observations by chiropractors, unpublished case studies and blogs that chiropractic treatment affects
sleeping patterns. Despite these numerous claims, no research has been done to validate themor to
provide evidence supporting theories of how manipulation could influence sleeping patterns.
Aim:The aim of the study was to describe the effect that chiropractic cervical manipulation may have on
disturbed sleeping patterns. The effect was measured by evaluating the participants’ sleep quality with the
use of a sleeping apparatus, the FitBit, which records the sleeping pattern as well as the participants’
perception of the improvement in their sleep disturbance.
Method:All volunteers were required to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which ultimately
resulted in the recruitment of ten participants who matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After the
selection process had been completed, the first consultation was conducted. In this consultation,an
information form was given to the participants, andeach was asked to sign an informed consent form. Preconsultation
education regarding the use of the FitBit was also completed. Thereafter, a full case history
was taken and a full physical exam as well as a cervical spine regional exam was performed. Each
participant’s FitBit data, personal comments, MLSEQ and LSEQ were used by the researcher to describe
whether or not chiropractic cervical manipulation had an effect on each participant’s disturbed sleeping
pattern. Each participant attended six consultations over a period two weeks. Chiropractic treatment took
place at four of the six consultations...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)