A lombalgia e a cervicalgia estao entre as principais dores cr6nicas de origem musculoesqueletica. Alern do aspecto fisico, a dor possui aspectos cognitivos, emocionais e comportamentais e, quando cr6nica, pode tornar-se incapacitante. A percepcao e perpetuacao da dor resultam de inumeros mecanismos de transmissao e codificagao neural. Neste processo, participam diferentes moleculas e mensageiros quimicos. Destacamos as especies reativas de oxigenio e nitrogenio, envolvidas no processo de sensibilizacao central. A regulagao da formagao destas especies reativas depende de sistemas antioxidantes enzimaticos e nao enzimaticos. A manipulacao articular vertebral (MAV) parece ter influencia sobre mecanismos de controle envolvidos na sensibilidade dolorosa. Estudo anterior do nosso laboratorio demonstrou que a MAV pode influenciar a atividade de enzimas envolvidas no equilibrio entre pro- e antioxidantes num tratamento a curto prazo, por duas semanas. 0 presente estudo avaliou o efeito analgesic° do tratamento de MAV de alta velocidade e baixa amplitude em individuos corn cervicalgia e/ou lombalgia cr6nica apOs cinco semanas, sendo duas sessoes por semana, e a influencia deste tratamento sobre marcadores perifericos de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo. Para avaliacao da dor e incapacitagao utilizou-se escala visual analogica, escala graduada de dor cronica, o formulario SF-36, o indice de disfuncao relacionado ao pescogo e o questionario de Roland-Morris. Alem disso, determinaram-se os limiares mecanicos de dor pars as regiOes cervical, lombar e dorsal. Os efeitos sobre marcadores perifericos de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo foram avaliados pela medida do estudo oxidante total, do potencial reativo antioxidante total e dos metabolitos do oxido nitrico, em plasma. As defesas antioxidantes foram determinadas em eritr6citos pela atividade das enzimas superoxido dismutase (SOD), catalase e glutationa peroxidase (GPx). Determinouse, tambem, a concentragao do Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa (TNF-a) em plasma. Devido a dificuldade em se realizar urn grupo placebo corn MAV, avaliou-se os mesmos parametros em pacientes tratados corn urn protocolo de exercicios fisicos de resistencia e estabilizacao da coluna, uma vez que os mesmos tambem demonstram efeitos positivos na reducao da dor lombar e/ou cervical. A reducao na percepcao dolorosa e na incapacitacao dos pacientes foram demonstradas logo apps cinco semanas de tratamento corn MAV, bem como passados trinta dias do final do tratamento. Alem disso, a MAV de alta velocidade e baixa amplitude foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx. Os demais parametros de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo estudados nao apresentaram alteracOes estatisticamente significativas. Por outro lado, o programa de exercicios utilizado neste estudo so foi capaz de reduzir a dor e incapacitagao imediatamente apOs o tratamento, sem alteracaes significativas em marcadores proou antioxidantes. Assim, os resultados mostram a eficacia da MAV e do exercicio terapeutico na reducao da dor e incapacitacao de pacientes corn cervicalgia e/ou lombalgia. Porem, apenas o efeito da MAV se estende por major period() de tempo. Ainda, nossos dados sugerem a existencia de relacao entre parametros oxidativos perifericos e analgesia apenas no tratamento corn MAV. Contudo, estudos complementares sao necessarios para melhor compreensao dessa relacao nos dois tipos de tratamentos. / Low back pain and neck pain are among the leading chronic pains of musculoskeletal origin. Besides the physical aspect, pain has cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects, and chronic pain may become incapacitating. The perception and perpetuation of pain may result from numerous mechanisms of neural transmission. Different molecules and chemical messengers take part in this process, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are involved in the central sensitization process. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems regulate the formation of these reactive species. Spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) seems to influence the control mechanisms involved in pain sensitivity. A previous study by our group demonstrated that short-term SMT can change the activity of enzymes involved in the balance between pro- and antioxidants. For this reason, the present study evaluated the analgesic effect of SMT of high velocity and low amplitude (HVLA) for a longer period in subjects with neck pain and/or chronic low back pain and also the influence of this treatment on peripheral markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress. The treatment was carried out for five weeks with two weekly sessions. Pain and disability were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the Chronic Pain Grade, the SF-36 form, the Neck Pain Index, and the Roland Morris questionnaire. Pressure pain thresholds for cervical, lumbar and dorsal regions were determined as well. The effects on peripheral markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress were determined by measuring the total oxidant status (TOS), total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), and nitric oxide metabolites in plasma. The antioxidant defenses in erythrocytes were determined by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in plasma was also investigated. Due to the difficulty in performing a placebo group with SMT, we evaluated the same parameters in patients treated with a protocol of therapeutic exercises (resistance and stabilization of the spine), since these also show positive effects in the reduction of lumbar or neck pain. Our results indicate that SMT had analgesic effects and reduced disability, even past 30 days after end of treatment, and it significantly increased activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx. The other parameters of oxidative stress and nitrosative studied did not show statistically significant changes. On the other hand, the exercise protocol used in this study was able to reduce pain and disability only after the end of treatment, without significant changes in pro- or antioxidants markers. Thus, our results show the effectiveness of both SMT and therapeutic exercise in reducing pain and disability in patients with neck and/or back pain. However, only the effect of SMT extends for a longer period of time. In addition, our data suggest the existence of a relationship between oxidative parameters and peripheral analgesia only in SMT. Further studies are required to better understand this relationship in both treatments.

A lombalgia e a cervicalgia estao entre as principais dores cr6nicas de origem musculoesqueletica. Alern do aspecto fisico, a dor possui aspectos cognitivos, emocionais e comportamentais e, quando cr6nica, pode tornar-se incapacitante. A percepcao e perpetuacao da dor resultam de inumeros mecanismos de transmissao e codificagao neural. Neste processo, participam diferentes moleculas e mensageiros quimicos. Destacamos as especies reativas de oxigenio e nitrogenio, envolvidas no processo de sensibilizacao central. A regulagao da formagao destas especies reativas depende de sistemas antioxidantes enzimaticos e nao enzimaticos. A manipulacao articular vertebral (MAV) parece ter influencia sobre mecanismos de controle envolvidos na sensibilidade dolorosa. Estudo anterior do nosso laboratorio demonstrou que a MAV pode influenciar a atividade de enzimas envolvidas no equilibrio entre pro- e antioxidantes num tratamento a curto prazo, por duas semanas. 0 presente estudo avaliou o efeito analgesic° do tratamento de MAV de alta velocidade e baixa amplitude em individuos corn cervicalgia e/ou lombalgia cr6nica apOs cinco semanas, sendo duas sessoes por semana, e a influencia deste tratamento sobre marcadores perifericos de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo. Para avaliacao da dor e incapacitagao utilizou-se escala visual analogica, escala graduada de dor cronica, o formulario SF-36, o indice de disfuncao relacionado ao pescogo e o questionario de Roland-Morris. Alem disso, determinaram-se os limiares mecanicos de dor pars as regiOes cervical, lombar e dorsal. Os efeitos sobre marcadores perifericos de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo foram avaliados pela medida do estudo oxidante total, do potencial reativo antioxidante total e dos metabolitos do oxido nitrico, em plasma. As defesas antioxidantes foram determinadas em eritr6citos pela atividade das enzimas superoxido dismutase (SOD), catalase e glutationa peroxidase (GPx). Determinouse, tambem, a concentragao do Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa (TNF-a) em plasma. Devido a dificuldade em se realizar urn grupo placebo corn MAV, avaliou-se os mesmos parametros em pacientes tratados corn urn protocolo de exercicios fisicos de resistencia e estabilizacao da coluna, uma vez que os mesmos tambem demonstram efeitos positivos na reducao da dor lombar e/ou cervical. A reducao na percepcao dolorosa e na incapacitacao dos pacientes foram demonstradas logo apps cinco semanas de tratamento corn MAV, bem como passados trinta dias do final do tratamento. Alem disso, a MAV de alta velocidade e baixa amplitude foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD e GPx. Os demais parametros de estresse oxidativo e nitrosativo estudados nao apresentaram alteracOes estatisticamente significativas. Por outro lado, o programa de exercicios utilizado neste estudo so foi capaz de reduzir a dor e incapacitagao imediatamente apOs o tratamento, sem alteracaes significativas em marcadores proou antioxidantes. Assim, os resultados mostram a eficacia da MAV e do exercicio terapeutico na reducao da dor e incapacitacao de pacientes corn cervicalgia e/ou lombalgia. Porem, apenas o efeito da MAV se estende por major period() de tempo. Ainda, nossos dados sugerem a existencia de relacao entre parametros oxidativos perifericos e analgesia apenas no tratamento corn MAV. Contudo, estudos complementares sao necessarios para melhor compreensao dessa relacao nos dois tipos de tratamentos. / Low back pain and neck pain are among the leading chronic pains of musculoskeletal origin. Besides the physical aspect, pain has cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects, and chronic pain may become incapacitating. The perception and perpetuation of pain may result from numerous mechanisms of neural transmission. Different molecules and chemical messengers take part in this process, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that are involved in the central sensitization process. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems regulate the formation of these reactive species. Spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) seems to influence the control mechanisms involved in pain sensitivity. A previous study by our group demonstrated that short-term SMT can change the activity of enzymes involved in the balance between pro- and antioxidants. For this reason, the present study evaluated the analgesic effect of SMT of high velocity and low amplitude (HVLA) for a longer period in subjects with neck pain and/or chronic low back pain and also the influence of this treatment on peripheral markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress. The treatment was carried out for five weeks with two weekly sessions. Pain and disability were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the Chronic Pain Grade, the SF-36 form, the Neck Pain Index, and the Roland Morris questionnaire. Pressure pain thresholds for cervical, lumbar and dorsal regions were determined as well. The effects on peripheral markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress were determined by measuring the total oxidant status (TOS), total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), and nitric oxide metabolites in plasma. The antioxidant defenses in erythrocytes were determined by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in plasma was also investigated. Due to the difficulty in performing a placebo group with SMT, we evaluated the same parameters in patients treated with a protocol of therapeutic exercises (resistance and stabilization of the spine), since these also show positive effects in the reduction of lumbar or neck pain. Our results indicate that SMT had analgesic effects and reduced disability, even past 30 days after end of treatment, and it significantly increased activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx. The other parameters of oxidative stress and nitrosative studied did not show statistically significant changes. On the other hand, the exercise protocol used in this study was able to reduce pain and disability only after the end of treatment, without significant changes in pro- or antioxidants markers. Thus, our results show the effectiveness of both SMT and therapeutic exercise in reducing pain and disability in patients with neck and/or back pain. However, only the effect of SMT extends for a longer period of time. In addition, our data suggest the existence of a relationship between oxidative parameters and peripheral analgesia only in SMT. Further studies are required to better understand this relationship in both treatments.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / This study was conducted in order to compare the effectiveness of the lumbar spine manipulation versus the foot manipulation/mobilisation for people suffering with chronic low back pain. This research aims to compare the effects of lumbar spine manipulation alone, foot manipulatioil/mobilisation alone or the combination of the two in people suffering with chronic low back pain. Candidates for the study were recruited from the local surrounding area, and through information pamphlets distributed through the Technikon Witwatersrand Doornfontein. The candidates were asked to participate in the study, which was held at the Technikon Witwatersrand Chiropractic day clinic. Only -those candidates that conformed to the selection criteria were allowed to participate in the study. The candidates were assigned to one of three groups. Eac.h group had ten candidates. Group 1 received lumbar spine manipulation alone. Group 2 received foot manipulation/mobilisation alone. Group 3 candidates received lumbar spine manipulation and foot manipulatioil/mobilisation. Subjective data was collected using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale 101 and the Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire. Objective data was collected using the electronic inclinometer to measure lumbar spine range of motion in flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion and right and left anterior rotation. The paired Hest was used for statistical analysis, where a statistically significant difference was found; the Student-Newman-Keuls test was performed to identify which statistically significant difference between the groups was found. The results of this study indicate that lumbar spine manipulation alone would appear to have responded better in terms of lumbar spine range ofmotion...

En France, les chiropracteurs sont autorisés à pratiquer des actes conservateurs, incluant la manipulation vertébrale, afin de prévenir ou de remédier à des troubles neuro-musculo-squelettiques. La profession apparaît toutefois composite, certains chiropracteurs proposant de prendre en charge également des troubles non-neuro-musculo-squelettiques, sur la base d’approches aux théories diverses.La Neurologie Fonctionnelle (NF) en constitue un exemple contemporain. Il s’agit d’une approche attractive, présentée comme scientifiquement fondée. Elle fait cependant l’objet de vives critiques, la qualifiant parfois de pseudoscience.Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de ce qu’est la NF ainsi qu’à une meilleure connaissance des faits scientifiques pouvant la sous-tendre, plus particulièrement dans un contexte chiropratique. Pour ce faire, une scoping review et deux revues critiques de la littérature ont été réalisées.La scoping review a montré que la NF est une approche thérapeutique conservatrice qui compterait de nombreuses indications, notamment non-neuro-musculo-squelettiques. Les “neurologues fonctionnels” recourent à de multiples outils thérapeutiques, dont la manipulation vertébrale, dans le but de stimuler le système nerveux, particulièrement des zones du cerveau. En NF, de nombreux éléments de langage sont empruntés aux neurosciences et différentes procédures diagnostiques et différents outils thérapeutiques sont issus de la médecine conventionnnelle. L’ensemble que forme sa théorie et ses applications cliniques lui apparait cependant propre et peu plausible.A travers une revue critique d’articles obtenus via un journal spécialisé en NF, aucune évidence scientifique probante n’a été trouvée à propos du bénéfice ou effet de la NF. A l’issue d’une revue systématique critique de la littérature, aucune évidence montrant que la manipulation vertébrale a un effet clinique via un effet sur l’activité cérébrale n’a été trouvée.Ces travaux nous ont amené à conclure que la NF, utilisée dans un contexte chiropratique, relève probablement d’une pratique pseudoscientifique. / In France, chiropractors are allowed to provide conservative care, which typically includes spinal manipulation in order to manage neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. However, some chiropractors also propose to manage non-neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. This alternative proposal is justified by using various approaches based on various theories.Functional Neurology (FN) is a contemporary example of one such approach. FN is an attractive method within the chiropractic profession, presented as scientifically based. However, FN is also vividly criticized, stated by some to be pseudoscientific.The aim of this thesis is to better understand what FN is and the scientific evidence available on this approach, especially in a chiropractic context. For this, a scoping review and two critical review of the literature were conducted.According to the scoping review, FN is a conservative approach, using a multitude of therapeutic tools, including spinal manipulation, used to stimulate the nervous system, especially brain areas. Many symptoms and conditions are supposed to benefit from FN, including in the non-neuro-musculoskeletal area. While “functional neurologists” use many terms belonging to neurosciences and several diagnostic procedures and therapeutic tools from conventional medicine, the theoretical concepts and clinical applications of FN do not appear plausible in general.A critical review of articles obtained through a search of a specialized scientific journal that purported to report on the benefit or effect of FN did not bring any robust evidence on this topic. Also, through a systematic critical review of the literature, no scientific evidence was found in relation to any clinical effect of spinal manipulation via an effect on brain function.This work led us to conclude that FN, when used in a chiropractic context, is probably a pseudoscientific approach.

Background: Patients with primary reports of neck pain often present with impairments of mobility, proprioception and motor control within the cervical spine, and these impairments can negatively impact patient outcomes. Cervical spine manipulation (CSM), which involves the use of thrust techniques, has been shown to be effective for some patients presenting with a primary report of neck pain. It would be useful for clinicians to have a decision making tool, such as a clinical prediction rule (CPR), that could accurately identify that subgroup of patients that would respond dramatically to CSM. The purpose of this project was to develop that CPR. Research Design and Methods: A prospective, cohort study of consecutive patients referred to physical therapy with a primary complaint of neck pain. Eligible patients who consented to participate completed a series of self-report measures, and then received a detailed standardized history and physical examination consisting of a variety of factors commonly used to assess patients with neck pain. Regardless of the results of the clinical examination, all patients received a standardized treatment regimen consisting of CSM and exercise. Depending on response to treatment, patients were treated for one to two treatment sessions over approximately 1 week. At the end of their participation in the study, patients were classified as having experienced a successful outcome or not based on a well-accepted patient-reported reference standard of success, the Global Rating of Change Scale. Analysis: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated for all potential predictor variables. Univariate techniques and step-wise logistic regression were used to determine the most parsimonious set of variables for prediction of treatment success. Variables retained in the regression model were used to develop a multivariate CPR to identify patients with neck pain likely to benefit from CSM. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in data analysis of which 32 (39%) had achieved a successful outcome. A CPR with 4 variables (symptom duration < 38 days, positive expectation that manipulation will help, difference in cervical rotation range of motion to either side ¡Ý 10 degrees, and pain with spring (PA) testing of the middle cervical spine) was identified. If 3 of the 4 variables (+LR 13.5) were present the chance of experiencing a successful outcome improved from 39% to 90%. Discussion: The CPR should improve decision-making for patients with neck pain by providing the ability to a priori identify patients with neck pain who are likely to benefit from CSM and exercise. However, this is only the first step in the process of developing and testing a CPR as future studies will be necessary to validate the results and should also include long-term follow-up and a comparison group to further examine the predictive value of the variables identified in the CPR.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2014. / Background: Spinal manipulation has been shown to result in neurophysiological changes, most often noted in the paraspinal muscles. These effects have been associated with an increase in paraspinal muscle contractibility; it is unclear if this leads to an increase in paraspinal muscle endurance. Objectives: To determine the effect of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) manipulation compared to a placebo treatment of the SIJ on lumbar extensor muscle endurance time. Method: A randomised, placebo-controlled pre-test post-test experimental trial, involving 40 asymptomatic male participants divided into an intervention group receiving SIJ manipulation using an impulse adjusting instrument and a placebo group receiving a pre-load force without the delivery of an impulse thrust. Outcome measures were lumbar extensor muscle endurance time, surface electromyographic (SEMG) readings, lumbar spinal range of motion, paraspinal muscle length assessment and a subjective pain measurement. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups (p=0.004) with the SIJ manipulation group showing an increase in endurance time compared to the placebo group which showed a decrease. SEMG readings increased for both groups with no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Only extension lumbar spinal range of motion significantly improved in both groups (p=˂0.001) with no significant differences between groups (p=0.876). Only one participant reported pain during the research procedure. Conclusions: SIJ manipulation may enhance the endurance of the paraspinal muscles. This study should be conducted in a larger sample to validate the findings.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2014. / Background Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a commonly used therapeutic modality. It has been shown that neuromuscular reflexes are elicited during spinal manipulation resulting in changes in the surrounding muscle tonicity and seen as changes in surface electromyography. Despite this little is known about the effect that SMT may have on muscle function. Increased maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the paraspinal muscles has been observed following lumbar SMT compared to a control and sham treatment; however its effect on muscle endurance has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lumbar SMT compared to a placebo treatment on lumbar extensor muscle endurance in asymptomatic individuals. Method This study was a quantitative double blinded, pre-test and post-test placebo controlled experimental trial. Forty asymptomatic participants were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. One group received a single SMT applied to the L3 vertebrae and the other received the pre-load force of the SMT but no thrust. Subjective (a self-report of pain/discomfort while performing the Biering-Sorensen test) and objective [surface electromyography (sEMG), paraspinal muscle endurance time and lumbar spine range of motion] measurements were taken pre- and post-intervention. The latest version of SPSS version (IBM SPSS Inc.) was used to analyse the data. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Independent t-tests were used to compare means and two-way factor ANOVA (for repeated measures) was used to compare the change in the two time points between the two treatment groups (intervention and control). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention and placebo groups in terms of subjective reports of pain/discomfort and objective evidence of surface EMG readings, paraspinal muscle endurance time and lumbar spine range of motion.

EFFECTS OF THORACIC SPINAL MANIPULATIVE THERAPY ON THORACIC SPINE AND SHOULDER KINEMATICS, THORACIC SPINE FLEXION/EXTENSION EXCURSION, AND PRESSURE PAIN SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH SUBACROMIAL PAIN SYNDROME By Joseph R. Kardouni, Ph.D., PT A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013. Major Director: Lori A. Michener, PhD, PT, ATC, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy In patients with shoulder pain, the use of manual therapy directed at the spine and shoulder have been reported to provide superior outcomes to exercise based interventions or usual care without the use of manual therapy. Clinical trials have also reported improved pain and disability after thoracic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) as a stand-alone treatment for shoulder pain. Although clinical efficacy is reported for the use of thoracic SMT for the treatment of shoulder pain, the mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits are not well understood. This limits the directed use of SMT. The benefits could be due to changes in spine or shoulder motion or neurophysiologic mechanisms of pain modulation. Elucidating the mechanism of manual therapy will aid the directed use of thoracic SMT for treating patients with shoulder pain. The research described in chapters 3 and 4 was performed to assess the effects of thoracic SMT in patients with subacromial pain syndrome with regard to biomechanical changes at the thoracic spine and shoulder and effects on central and peripheral pain sensitivity. Subjects with shoulder impingement pain symptoms were randomly assigned to receive 1 visit of thoracic SMT or sham SMT, applied to the lower, middle, and upper (cervicothoracic junction) thoracic spine. A 3-dimensional electromagnetic tracking system was used to measure thoracic and scapular kinematics during active arm elevation, and thoracic excursion at end-range of flexion and extension pre- post-treatment. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured at the painful shoulder (deltoid) and unaffected regions (contralateral deltoid and bilateral lower trapezius areas) immediately pre- and post-treatment. PPT measures at the painful shoulder were used to assess peripheral and/or central pain sensitivity, and PPT at unaffected regions measured central pain sensitivity. Patient-rated outcomes measures of pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale-NPRS), function (Pennsylvania Shoulder Score-Penn), and global rating of change (GROC) were used to assess changes in clinical symptoms following treatment. No significant differences were found between treatment groups for the thoracic kinematics or excursion, shoulder kinematics, PPT measures, or patient-rated outcomes. No differences were noted pre- to post-treatment in either group for thoracic kinematics or excursion or PPT measures. In both groups, there was a decrease in mean scapular external rotation over time during ascending arm elevation, but the change was less than measurement error. Outcome measures of NPRS, Penn and GROC indicated clinical improvements in both groups following treatment, but there were no differences between the thoracic SMT or sham SMT groups. There were no meaningful correlations between thoracic and scapular kinematics or thoracic excursion with the outcome measures of NPRS, Penn, or GROC. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.52 , p=0.009) between change in PPT at the lower trapezius on the unaffected side and baseline Penn scores. Biomechanically, thoracic spine extension and excursion did not change following thoracic SMT, and the SMT group had no greater changes in shoulder kinematics or patient-rated pain and function than the sham SMT group. Additionally, thoracic SMT did not improve peripheral or central pain sensitivity as measured by PPT. Furthermore, improvements in patient-rated outcomes were not found to be related to changes in thoracic spine mobility, or shoulder kinematics with SMT. The single correlation between change in PPT and baseline Penn may indicate a neurophyciologic effect of SMT in patients with higher baseline function scores, but the since no other significant relationships between PPT and outcome were seen, the implications of this finding are limited. Overall, alterations in thoracic spine mobility and pressure pain sensitivity do not appear to be responsible for improved outcomes in patients with subacromial pain syndrome. Future studies should explore the effects of SMT using other measures of thoracic spine motion and experimental pain modalities, as well as greater dosing of SMT over a longer follow-up.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Background: The most common shoulder complaint seen by physicians is shoulder impingement syndrome. There has been limited success with the current conservative treatment that has been provided for this condition. Thoracic spine and rib manipulation is purported to aid in the treatment of this condition; however there is a paucity of controlled investigations. The purpose of this study was to determine the short term efficacy of thoracic and prone rib manipulation on shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: A randomised, placebo controlled pre-test post-test experimental design was used. Informed consent was obtained and 30 participants were recruited according to inclusion criteria and allocated to either a placebo or intervention group. Intervention consisted of thoracic spinal and rib manipulation. Data was collected, pre and post the first treatment and at a 48 hours follow up. SPSS was used to analyse the data with a p value of 0.05. Results: No statistically significant differences were seen between the groups for pain rating, range of motion of the glenohumeral joint, lateral scapula slide test or scapula isometric pinch test. The shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) showed significant (p = 0.04) differences between the groups in terms of disability scores, with the intervention group having a great improvement in disability. No clinically significant differences were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Thoracic spine and rib manipulation appears to improve the disability associated with shoulder impingement syndrome, however further research is required with a larger sample size.

Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a therapeutic procedure employed by various healthcare practitioners for alleviating acute and chronic musculoskeletal complaints. This form of treatment is also delivered to enhance the performance and augment the rehabilitation of athletes. However, despite research findings alleging the strength-modulating effects of SMT alongside numerous professional athletes’ positive anecdotal claims concerning its results, the physiological processes to explain its effects remain largely unexplained. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of SMT in a college-aged sample population with two experiments. The first study examined the effect of SMT targeting the lumbosacral region on concentric force production of the knee extensors and flexors. A randomized, controlled, single-blind crossover design was utilized with 21 subjects. Isometric and isokinetic peak torques (Nm) were recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) or maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) post-treatment of either SMT or a sham manipulation. The second study incorporated the same experimental design with 20 subjects to examine the effects of SMT on central nervous system (CNS) excitability. This was accomplished by assessing postactivation potentiation (PAP), measured with the Hoffmann Reflex (H-reflex). PAP is an enhanced neuromuscular response to prior contractile activity, and the H-reflex is the electromyographic (EMG) recording of submaximal electrical stimulation of the Ia monosynaptic reflex pathway. Subsequent to SMT and/or a plantar flexion MVIC, EMG amplitudes and isometric twitch torque generation of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were recorded during tibial nerve stimulations. The results of the first study indicate that SMT did not produce a significant strength-modulating effect during isometric and isokinetic contractions of neither knee extension nor flexion. Similarly, the second study revealed that SMT immediately preceding the MVIC to induce PAP did not significantly increase H-reflex EMG amplitudes of either muscle or the simultaneous isometric twitch torque generation compared to the MVIC only. These data from both investigations suggest that SMT does not enhance strength or PAP. The positive anecdotal claims of athletes who utilize SMT may be due to other factors, such as the clinical efficacy of the treatment in addressing musculoskeletal injuries or a placebo effect.