Under researched somatosensory contributions to postural stability, in addition to high incident rates of foot injury in the physically active population, lead to two investigative studies. An initial research study compared variables of two postural stability assessment devices to determine reliability of outcome measures and commonality of outcome measures to dynamic postural control. A second study assessed which measures of postural stability were effective in differentiating between injured persons using foot orthotics and non-injured persons, and also compared effects of 3-month foot orthotic usage on measures of postural stability among three groups. In the first study, 23 healthy subjects tested on two separate occasions one-week apart, counterbalancing the testing order. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Pearson product moment correlations were calculated and analyzed. In the second study, 15 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis or medial arch sprain were given custom orthotics and matched with 15 non-injured subjects given custom orthotics, and 15 healthy control subjects on gender, age, height, and body mass index. All 45 subjects were assessed on five postural stability tests (12 dependent variables) on seven occasions over a four-month period. Repeated measures MANOVA was employed to evaluate group, time and interaction effects for the outcome variables (α=0.05). Test-retest reliability, in the first study, ranged from moderate to high (ICC[subscript 2,1]=0.71 to 0.92) for all outcome measures. Pearson correlations revealed four statistically significant relationships (p< .05) between outcome measures (r=0.43 to -0.72). In the second study, nine variables were entered into repeated measures MANOVA demonstrating significant main and interaction effects. Post hoc univariate analyses demonstrated six variables with group main effects and three variables with time main effects. Interaction effects in post hoc analysis were non-significant. The moderate to high test-retest reliability observed for outcome measures in the first study is encouraging. Correlations between device outcome measures, while statistically significant, were low enough to suggest that each device provided unique information regarding postural stability. Results from the second study provide strong evidence that foot orthotic wear affects postural stability over time. The nature of test protocols suggests that functional postural stability testing aids in assessing effectiveness of foot orthotics. / Graduation date: 2002

The goal of this Master's project was to characterize the postural control patterns of individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and to compare these patterns with those of healthy individuals. The postural reactions in response to low-intensity translations of the sitting position were assessed by way of kinematic and electromyographic analyses. We found that whiplash individuals display an earlier onset of their head displacement and a pattern of trunk displacement characterized by greater flexion at the upper levels of the spine, compared to the lower levels. Moreover, whiplash individuals present a tendency for a late recruitment of their neck flexors and for a greater use of a pattern of neck extensor muscle inhibition. These results suggest that individuals with whiplash-associated disorders may compensate their altered neck functional ability by modifying their relative movements along the spine and by adopting altered motor strategies to compensate for their painful muscles.

The aim of this thesis is to develop a quantitative measure of postural defects known as lordosis and kyphosis. The measurement of these defects is an important part of their identification and treatment. This work will be of primary interest to the physiotherapist involved in the research and treatment of conditions associated with faulty posture. / Thesis (MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 1999

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1930.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1930.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-132). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-132).

M.Tech. / This study aimed to compare either separately or in combination the effects of chiropractic manipulation and ergonomic advice on cervical and thoracic pain and discomfort in those working at computer workstations or in desk bound professions. Three groups were chosen. Group A was treated with chiropractic manipulation only. Group B received ergonomic advice only, which they were required to adhere to for the duration of the study. Group C received a combination of chiropractic manipulation and ergonomic advice. Subjects within each group were attended to over a period of three weeks. It was anticipated that a combination of the therapies would yield the most favorable results in comparison to either of the therapies alone. The study was a clinical trial involving three groups of ten subjects of women only. Volunteers responded to posters placed throughout the University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein campus and at companies in and around Johannesburg. Objective data was collected using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) Instrument and the Digital Inclinometer to measure cervical and thoracic spine range of motion. Subjective data was obtained by participants recording their progress on the Vernon Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Both the objective and subjective data was collected prior to the commencement of the first, third and sixth treatments for Groups A and C and at the first, second and third consultations for Group B. All the collected data was statistically analyzed using the One Way and the Repeated Analysis of Variance tests. Data obtained from cervical and thoracic ranges of motion testing showed some significant differences for the three groups throughout the treatment however no consistent pattern was revealed to determine which treatment group was favored. Statistical analysis of the data obtained from the questionnaires indicated that all three groups responded with statistical significance to the treatments. All three groups responded with a reduction in the subject‟s perceived pain and disability and the Combination group responded most favorably followed by the Advice/Ergonomics group and then lastly the Adjustment group. This study concluded that a combination of the therapies resulted in a quicker response to treatment with regards to the subject‟s pain and disability. All of the three treatments however provided some improvement therefore also reiterating the effects of ergonomic advice and chiropractic treatment alone.

M. Tech. / Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) of the shoulder is a condition that results because of poor posture, stress and a lack of sufficient rest periods between working schedules. This study attempts to demonstrate the effect of the homoeopathically prepared complex remedy Spascupreel® S in the treatment of RSI. Thirty participants were selected for the study and completed the study. The study was conducted over a period of five weeks. Fifteen participants formed part of the control group, and fifteen participants formed part of the experimental group. The control group received placebo (saline solution) injections, and the experimental group received Spascupreel® S injections for the duration of the study. All the participants were assessed by means of questionnaires, algometer readings and physical examinations throughout the study. The results were statistically analysed using the independent-samples t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Friedman test and McNemar test. The results showed that treatment with Spascupreel® S indicated a tendency towards statistical significance in improving the symptoms of RSI.

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