Abstract
Purpose
Our aim was to compare the efficacy of spinal manipulation of the upper cervical spine (C1-C2) on postural sway in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain with the application of a combination of cervical (C3-C4), cervicothoracic (C7-T1) and thoracic spine (T5-T6) thrust joint manipulation.
Methods
One hundred eighty-six (n = 186) individuals with chronic mechanical neck pain were randomised to receive an upper cervical spine manipulation (n = 93) or three different spinal manipulation techniques applied to the cervical spine, cervicothoracic joint and thoracic spine (n = 93). Measures included the assessment of stabilometric parameters using the Medicapteurs S-Plate platform. Secondarily, neck pain was analysed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.
Results
We observe a decrease in the length of the centre of pressure path, average speed, medio-lateral and antero-posterior displacement with statistically significant results (p < 0.05) in the upper cervical manipulation group. Both interventions are equally effective in reducing neck pain after fifteen days (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The application of upper cervical thrust joint manipulation is more effective in improving stabilometric parameters in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.
Trial registration: The study was registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (no. ACTRN12619000546156).
Patients who suffer from neck pain exhibit increased postural sway than asymptomatic subjects.
Both spinal manipulation treatments applied in this study are equally effective in reducing neck pain.
Spinal manipulation treatment on the upper cervical spine improves postural stability parameters.
Implications for rehabilitation
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the patients who made this study possible.
Ethical approval
The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Commission of the Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine of the University of Almeria and registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (no. ACTRN12619000546156).
URL:https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377314&isReview=true
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest.