The Effects of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation on Cervical Joint Position Error
Access Type
Open Access
Entry Number
84
Start Date
4-5-2017 11:15 AM
End Date
4-5-2017 11:30 AM
Department
Biomedical Science
Abstract
The cervical spine is a common site for pain, but manipulation of the cervical spine has been shown to involve some risks for the patient. Thoracic thrust manipulation, in comparison, has been used as an alternative therapeutic mechanism to reduce pain in the cervical spine and has additionally demonstrated an increase in cervical range of motion and decrease in disability. However, there is limited research on how thoracic manipulation affects cervical proprioception. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of mid-thoracic spine thrust manipulation on cervical joint position error. Cervical joint position error measures cervical afferent input to detect abnormalities in proprioception and the ability to reposition one’s neck and head back to a neutral head position after movement in a certain direction. Joint position error was tested with a laser pointer and GoPro secured on the forehead of the subjects and requiring the subjects to relocate their head back to neutral after maximal left rotation, right rotation, flexion, and extension with vision occluded. Images were captured with the GoPro, data was obtained from the images, and this data was used to determine constant, absolute, and variable errors before and after the manipulation.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Gary Austin, Nancy Cowden, Jill Lucas
The Effects of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation on Cervical Joint Position Error
The cervical spine is a common site for pain, but manipulation of the cervical spine has been shown to involve some risks for the patient. Thoracic thrust manipulation, in comparison, has been used as an alternative therapeutic mechanism to reduce pain in the cervical spine and has additionally demonstrated an increase in cervical range of motion and decrease in disability. However, there is limited research on how thoracic manipulation affects cervical proprioception. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of mid-thoracic spine thrust manipulation on cervical joint position error. Cervical joint position error measures cervical afferent input to detect abnormalities in proprioception and the ability to reposition one’s neck and head back to a neutral head position after movement in a certain direction. Joint position error was tested with a laser pointer and GoPro secured on the forehead of the subjects and requiring the subjects to relocate their head back to neutral after maximal left rotation, right rotation, flexion, and extension with vision occluded. Images were captured with the GoPro, data was obtained from the images, and this data was used to determine constant, absolute, and variable errors before and after the manipulation.