Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: To determine the effects of cervical spine manipulation versus
soft tissue therapy, specifically ischemic compression of the suboccipital
muscles on gait in individuals with sub-acute neck pain.
Method: Thirty participants were divided into two groups of fifteen: a
manipulation group and an ischemic compression group. The manipulation
group received chiropractic manipulation to the upper cervical spine twice
a week for three weeks. The ischemic compression group received
ischemic compression of the suboccipital muscles twice a week for three
weeks. The Zebris FDM Gait Analysis system was used to measure gait
spatiotemporal parameters and functions using high-quality capacitive
force sensors that are arranged in matrix form. Both groups also had their
gait and pain analysed on visit one, four and seven, using the Zebris FDM
gait analysis system and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), before
receiving treatment. On visit seven, no treatment was given to either
group, only data was collected.
Results: With regards to the analysis of the results, intragroup analysis of
gait parameters showed that neither cervical spine manipulation nor
ischemic compression had any statistical significant effect on any of the
spatiotemporal parameters measured. With regards to intragroup analysis
of the effects on pain, both cervical spine manipulation and ischemic
compression groups showed statistically significant decreases in pain
throughout the study. Intergroup analysis showed that there was no
statistical significant difference in both spatiotemporal parameters and
pain measurements when comparing the two groups.
Conclusion: The results of this study have shown that both cervical spine
manipulation and ischemic compression do not have an effect on gait
parameters in individuals with subacute neck pain. With regards to pain,..