Abstract
M.Tech.
It has been reported that the sympathetic nerve fibres coursing with the vertebral
arteries may potentially be irritated by cervical pathology such as cervical
dysfunction causing vasoconstriction of the vertebro-basilar arterial system
leading to an ischaemic state in particular areas in the brain (Wingfield and
Gorman, 2000). This arterial insufficiency to the brain has been shown to effect
higher level complex brain functions (Terrett, 1995).
The purpose of this research was to determine whether atlanto-occipital joint as
well as atlanto-axial joint adjustments had an immediate effect on mental rotation
ability in individuals with asymptomatic cervical facet joint dysfunction.
Sixty male and female asymptomatic patients took part in this study. These
patients were recruited by means of word of mouth and through the use of
advertisements placed in the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic,
Doornfontein Campus.
Inclusion criteria required for patients to participate in the study included the
patients (both male or female) be between the ages of 18 and 30 years, they
presented with an asymptomatic cervical facet joint dysfunction at the atlantooccipital
and or atlanto-axial joints, not have had either Chiropractic or any other
form of treatment to the cervical spine for at least six days prior to involvement in
the study, had normal or corrected to normal vision and no contraindications to
cervical adjustments.
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Objective data was collected by means of a mental rotation reaction time test
installed on a laptop computer which measured the patients mental rotation
reaction time ability in both accuracy and time to complete each test.
The objective results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant
increase in mental rotation ability following the Chiropractic adjustments.
In conclusion, it was shown that Chiropractic adjustments performed on patients
presenting with asymptomatic cervical facet joint dysfunction at the atlantooccipital
and/or the atlanto-axial joint complexes brought about no improvement
in mental rotation ability.