The effects of high-velocity, low amplitude thrust and hydrotherapy on cervical spine mobility
Item
- Title
- The effects of high-velocity, low amplitude thrust and hydrotherapy on cervical spine mobility
- Author(s)
- Ridgewell Adam
- Abstract
-
Background: Spinal manipulation has been successfully used to increase range of motion and decrease pain and stiffness in spinal joints of symptomatic individuals. Hydrotherapy has been used by health practitioners during the last century to improve circulation and bring a feeling of well-being to the patient, yet no research has studied the effects on cervical spine mobility, when compared to spinal manipulation in the same group of subjects.Method: This study investigated the effects of spinal manipulative therapy on cervical spine mobility and compared it to the effects of alternate hot and cold applications. Twenty five a-symptomatic, male osteopathic students (mean age 24.7 and mean BMI 24.1), acting as their own controls, consented to take part.
Interventions: (HVT) A single, bi-lateral High Velocity Thrust to the mid-cervical spine during the first week. (Hydrotherapy) Three repeated applications of alternate hot (43-45(C for 3 minutes) and cold (16-18(C for 1 minute), moist towels to the cervical spine, in the second week.
Pre- and post- test measurements were recorded before and after each intervention on both visits, testing flexion/ extension, right and left lateral flexion and rotation; these were assessed using the CROM device, a modified inclinometer for testing spinal range of motion.
Results: The results showed that both modalities were effective in changing mobility of the cervical spine. Subjects did show increases in most vectors following hydrotherapy, other than flexion (-0.1º) however none of the increases were statistically significant. When comparing the effectiveness of the two interventions,
the only statistically significant mean differences, were increases in right (p=0.0234) and left (p=0.0272) rotation, following HVT.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that although the only comparative differences between the two modalities were seen in rotation, after one week following HVT, further investigation is warranted to investigate the effects of combining the two interventions to increase other vectors of mobility of the cervical spine. - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13651
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Ridgewell Adam, “The effects of high-velocity, low amplitude thrust and hydrotherapy on cervical spine mobility”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1106