Abstract
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to explore the immediate effect that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) had on a predefined motor task by measuring the time it took to complete a motor task in asymptomatic individuals, or by assessing the movement time (MT). Movement time is measured using Fitts’ Law. This study also focused on assessing if there was any specific region receiving spinal manipulative therapy that yielded greater results.
Method: A total of 100 participants volunteered for this study. There were 52 female participants and 48 male participants that were selected. The participants were between the ages of 18 and 40 years of age. The participants were screened by means of an inclusion and exclusion criteria and those who were eligible, were invited to take part in the study. The participants were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 groups. Each group therefore consisted of 25 participants. Group 1 was the combination group and received SMT to dysfunctional vertebral segments located within the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacroiliac regions. Group 2 received SMT to dysfunctional vertebral segments located within the cervical spine only. Group 3 received SMT to dysfunctional vertebral segments located within the thoracic region and the 4th and final group received SMT to dysfunctional segments located within the lumbar and or sacroiliac regions.
Procedure: Due to the nature of the study design, the participants were only required for a single treatment. The participants were required to complete two objective tests, namely the Fitts’ Tapping Task (FTT) and the Generalised Fitts’ Law Model Builder (GFLMB), before any treatment was administered. The researcher then manipulated the dysfunctional vertebral segments that was assessed via motion palpation to the various regions according to each participant’s specific group. The participants were then required to redo the two tests immediately again following treatment...
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)