Outcome Comparisons of Cervical Range of Motion in the environments of G-force among Four Different Manual Therapy Techniques

• Main Authors: WEN, Kuo-ching, 溫國經
• Other Authors: KUO, JH
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/79866864413123776346

碩士 === 臺北巿立體育學院 === 運動科學研究所 === 92 === This study aimed at comparing how the 4 manual therapies, including acupressure, PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), massage and chiropractic, influence on the cervical range of motion (ROM). Besides, it researched on the cervical motion of the fighter pilots during the stages of acceleration and uniform speed, respectively. As a result, the constancy and effect of various manual therapy techniques on the ROM of joints were found and the cervical control factor under acceleration was further understood. In addition, the supporting training techniques for maintaining the motion of cervical joints were provided through comparing varied manual therapies. Approach: There were 2 stages in the experiment of this study. The main experiment in the 1st stage was for the manual therapy group, which consists 100 students at the same age, passing the health checkup. They received the test on the ROM of cervical joints from the 1st day to the 5th day. On the 2nd day, each group had one manual therapy chose randomly and one group was regarded as the control group (without any manual therapy involved). The study objects in the chiropractic group received the chiropractic therapy by lying prone on the foldable chiropractic beds, and standing at a side. The study objects of the PNF group relaxed the cervical vertebra muscle by bending, facing upward, left sight bending and right side bending without feeling any hurt. Students in the massage group massaged the cervical muscle by the rolling, chopping, clapping, stirring and pushing methods. In the acupressure group, the researcher pressed with fingers on the acupuncture points of the study objects’ head-neck. By using the cervical motion meter, the 5 groups were objectively tested (the left and right side bending, front bending, and facing forward of the cervical vertebra) before and after the experiment. There were 2 measurements before the therapy and 1 measurement immediately after the therapy. The measurements were repeated on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after the therapy. Data obtained before and after the tests were organized through the descriptive statistics. One-way ANOVA was applied to analyze the difference of each group before and after the manual therapy. With Tukey method to compare after the experiment, it was found that α equals to .05, as a significant level. In the 2nd stage, the introductory experiment was for the control group of cervical motion, mainly including 6 pilots on active duty. We let them receive the test while riding in a vehicle (0-90 km/h) on the downhill to understand the cervical ROM and the acceleration situation in stages of the constant acceleration and the uniform speed, respectively. After comparing difference among values pertaining to the constant acceleration and uniform speed with t-test, α = .05 was found to be the significant level. After all, the effect of the manual therapy was most significant (P < .05) on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day after the therapy. Among the 4 manual therapies, PNF was he most significant (P < 0.5) on the 2nd day and was with the increasing effect for 3 sequent days (began to drop on the 4th day). With limited results, it was found that while downhill the Gz value of cervical motion in the constant acceleration stage (0-90 km/h) was greater than the acceleration in the uniform speed stage (90 km/h). Conclusion: The 5-day manual therapy on the cervical ROM could raise the ROM of cervical joints effectively on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day after the therapy. On the 2nd day after the therapy, PNF was the more effective for the ROM of cervical joints than the massage and chiropractic therapies. Results of the experiment on cervical motion showed that the head-neck position during the stages of constant acceleration and uniform speed, respectively, was relevant to speed. Thus, it was assumed that the acceleration of cervical motion and the cervical ROM were relevant to the direction and speed of tolerance. This indicated the cervical motion was affected by constant acceleration and the motion of cervical joints appeared more important. Findings from the main and introductory experiments can be reference for the professionals in treating and preventing neck injuries. It is recommended that the manual therapy can be developed reasonably with expanded treatment scope in the future. Also, the manual therapy can be employed in facilitating pilots and athletes to get basic ROM of cervical joints before the contest and recovery from muscle exhaustion and sport-rehabilitation after the contest.