Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the immediate effect of chiropractic manipulation of the cervico-thoracic junction on grip strength and its rate of decline after manipulation.
Method: Fifty participants with asymptomatic cervico-thoracic dysfunction were selected. All participants were placed in a single group as they all received the same treatment. Participants had to meet the inclusion criteria to be part of the study and they had to be free of any contra-indications to chiropractic manipulation.
Procedure: Each participant was treated only once with a manipulation to the cervico-thoracic junction. Four measurements of grip strength were taken over a 24 hour period. Each participant’s grip strength was measured prior to manipulation with a Jamar handgrip dynamometer. Thereafter the restricted cervico-thoracic segmented was manipulated and grip strength was measured immediately thereafter. The participants were requested to return one hour after the initial treatment when another reading was taken. The last visit took place 24 hours after manipulation, where the final grip strength measurement was taken. All data was recorded by the researcher and analysed by Statkon.
Results: A significant increase in grip strength was noted immediately post treatment, with grip strength peaking one hour post treatment. Although a decline was noted twenty four hours post treatment, it did not return to the initial values.
Conclusion: The results indicated an increase in grip strength after manipulation of the cervico-thoracic junction. An increase was visible on all readings (immediately post treatment, one hour post treatment and twenty four hours post treatment), tested with the Jamar handgrip dynamometer. Most results were found to be statistically insignificant, with exclusion of measurement three (one hour post treatment) on the left hand side. In conclusion it was noted that manipulation directed to the cervico-thoracic junction increases muscle strength up to twenty four hours as measured by the Jamar Handgrip Dynamometer. Further readings are necessary in order to determine when the grip strength of participants would return to pre treatment values as the true rate of decline could not be determined in only a twenty four hour period...