The effect of suboccipital myscle energy technique on the tonic neck reflex, as measured by the blindfold vertical writing test. Evaluation of technique and method.
Item
- Title
- The effect of suboccipital myscle energy technique on the tonic neck reflex, as measured by the blindfold vertical writing test. Evaluation of technique and method.
- Author(s)
- Irving Alexander
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACTThe tonic neck reflex (TNR) produces a characteristic change in muscle tone of the trunk and extremities as the head and neck are moved in relation to the trunk.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the blindfold vertical writing test (BVWT), a functional method devised to demonstrate the presence of the TNR in the upper limb. This is displayed as a characteristic variation in written column length with the head in three positions, neutral, flexion and extension. Thus the longest column is produced with the head flexed and the shortest with the head extended. In addition the effect of application of a suboccipital muscle energy technique (MET) to the BVWT was investigated.
Subjects consisted of 29 asymptomatic students at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, made up of 17 females and 12 males. These were randomly assigned to four groups - a repeat measure group (n=4)
- a test group (n=15)
- a control group (n=10).
The repeat measure group performed repeat measurements of the BVWT.
The test group performed the BVWT before and after application of a suboccipital MET.
The control group performed the BVWT before and after application of a sham MET. Head inclination of test and control groups was assessed using a universal inclinometer.
Results showed a high degree of variability in the repeat measurement group with individual coefficients of variance ranging from 3.0 to 10.8.
The pattern of column lengths expected if the BVWT was to demonstrate the TNR was not observed in any of the groups.
Significant change of the BVWT in the test group was found with the head in a neutral position (p=0.02). Comparison of means showed this to be a significant decrease.
No significant change was found in the test group with the head in a flexed or extended position. No significant change in BVWT outcomes was found in the control group.
No significant change in head inclination was found in either test or control group.
As such this study was not able to validate the BVWT as a suitable method for demonstrating the TNR in the upper limb. No modification of head positioning by application of a suboccipital MET was able to be demonstrated.
Further study of the TNR using alternative methods would be valuable to investigate the existence of the TNR and its modification by application of osteopathic technique to the upper 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
- 13588
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Irving Alexander, “The effect of suboccipital myscle energy technique on the tonic neck reflex, as measured by the blindfold vertical writing test. Evaluation of technique and method.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/1169