Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 1999. / The aim of this placebo-controlled clinical trial was to determine the role of spinal manipulation in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in terms of the patients' subjective response to treatment. It was hypothesized that spinal manipulation would have a greater effect than placebo in reducing the intensity of the symptoms of IBS. Thirty subjects diagnosed with IBS were randomly divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 15 subjects, aged between 18 and 50. Patients were treated twice a week for three weeks and once in the fourth week. Thereafter, each patient returned approximately 1 month later to be assessed for any longer-term benefit to treatment. Patients in the experimental group received spinal manipulation directed at areas of spinal fixation, as determined by motion palpation. Patients in the control group were treated using a detuned ultrasound machine over areas of spinal fixation. Treatment was performed with the same degree of enthusiasm in both groups, where possible. / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spinal manipulation compared to passive oscillatory mobilization in order to evaluate the more effective treatment in the management of chronic mechanical thoracic spine pain. It was hypothesized that spinal manipulation and passive oscillatory mobilization would both be effective in the treatment of chronic mechanical thoracic spine pain. It was further postulated that spinal manipulation would be comparatively more effective than passive oscillatory mobilization in terms of objective and subjective clinical findings. This randomised controlled clinical trial consisted of a study population of 60, obtained by convenience sampling. Those patients diagnosed as suffering from chronic mechanical thoracic spine pain were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 each. One group received spinal manipulation and the other group passive oscillatory mobilization on the affected segments. Both groups of patients received 5 treatments over a two-week period. The subjective data was obtained by the use of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-101 Questionnaire. These were filled in by the patient before the first, third and fifth treatments. The objective data was acquired through the use of the algometer. Readings were taken before and after the first, third and fifth treatments. Intra-group analysis of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was done using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. The paired t-test was used for the Numerical Pain Rating Scale -101 Questionnaire and the Algometer Readings (intra-group analysis). Inter-group analysis of the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was done using the Mann Whitney unpaired Utest. The unpaired t-test was used for the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-l 0 I Questionnaire and the Algometer Readings (inter-group analysis). a was set at a 0.05 level of significance. The results were illustrated by means of tables and / M

A dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology in the Department of Chiropractic at Technikon Natal / Cavitation sounds heard during chiropractic adjustments and manipulations to th extension spine are a common phenomena yet their significance is disputed, the mechanism of their production is a matter of speculation, and their origin has never been localized. (Lewit 1978: 4, Grieve 1989; 525) The purpose of this study was to locate the joints which cavitate during the performance of a L5 spinous hook adjustment and a lower sacroiliac adjustment. It was hypothesised that the cavitation sounds would arise from the L4-L5 and L5-S1facets on the side of contact during the L5 hook adjustment., and from the the sacroiliac joint on the side being adjusted during the lower sacroiliac adjustment. It was also hypothesised that the two adjustments would differ significantly in terms of the cavitation sounds produced. Volunteers were screened for agreement with the inclusion criteria. Of these 30 asymptomatic between the ages of 18 and 30 were selected. This was sample was then randomly divided into two groups of, one of which recieved the L5 hook adjustment and the other the lower sacroiliac adjustment. All of the subjects had eight microphones taped to the skin, over the relevant facets and the sacroiliac joints. Radiographic confirmation was used in order to ensure proper positioning of the microphones. The microphones were then connected to filters, amplifiers and a computer which recorded any sound signals registered during the adjustments. / M

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between various indices of marital role conflict and measures of marital adjustment.

This study investigated the relationship between children's perception of parents as loving or rejecting and the general emotional adjustment of these children. Emotional adjustment was reflected by behavior within a regular classroom as observed by the teacher and by performance on a projective personality test.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropratic, Technikon Natal, 2002. / McGregor et al ( 1998) stated that approximately 50 – 80 % of the population in Western society will experience low back pain at some point. According to Cibulka and Koldehoff (1999), the sacroiliac joint is a common cause of low back pain that is overlooked. This study aimed to provide insight into the relative effectiveness of three different approaches in the management of sacroiliac syndrome. Giles and Muller (1999) concluded that spinal manipulative therapy was an effective form of treatment for spinal pain syndromes whilst Burgos et al (2001) states that the use of transcutaneous non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in the management of musculoskeletal conditions is a common therapeutic strategy. This investigation aimed to determine the relative effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy combined with transcutaneous flurbiprofen (TransAct® patches ) versus spinal manipulative therapy combined with either menthol or non-medicated placebo patches in the management of sacroiliac syndrome, in terms of objective and subjective measures. / M

M.Tech. / OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether adjustment of the cervico-thoracic motion segment in individuals with altered or decreased motion at that segment, in conjunction with a strengthening protocol, had a greater increase in triceps brachii muscle strength compared to a strengthening protocol or chiropractic adjustment alone. By reducing the negative neural and other effects caused by aberrant movement between vertebra, chiropractic adjustment could allow the body’s muscle physiology to function at its best, thereby allowing it to adapt to changes more readily. DESIGN: Thirty subjects participated in this study. The subjects were randomly and without being aware of it, assigned to one of three groups. The only requirement for inclusion in the research was a restriction of the seventh cervical vertebra based on motion and static palpation. Patients in two of the groups were asked to perform tricep brachii muscle strengthening exercises and patients from two of the groups received chiropractic adjustment to the cervico-thoracic motion segment. Patients were seen a total of three times over a period of two weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Triceps brachii muscle strength testing was performed using an isometric dynamometer. Three pre-treatment readings and three post-treatment readings were performed, with one-minute intervals, on all the subjects. This was done to determine if there was a change before or after treatment and if there was a long-term effect. CONCLUSION: Although measurements were taken on each visit before and after each treatment, there was only a statistically significant difference in triceps brachii muscle strength between the experimental and the other two groups before treatment on the third visit. This does however; suggest that there was a favourable result and that a combination of treatments does indeed produce better results than one of the other treatments alone.

The main purpose of this study was to examine how coping styles, spirituality, and social support contributed to divorced persons’ adjustment to life after divorce. The study used a qualitative research design with face‑to‑face interviews. A snowball sample was used in order to inquire divorced participants’ experiences after divorce. Twelve participants were interviewed to obtain their individual experiences and discernment of divorce transition. The study found that spirituality (e.g., attending church, Bible reading, prayers) was a major copying strategy used by most of the participants after divorce. The study also revealed that the support of family and friends was utilized as another critical coping strategy to help aid divorcees in their transition to post divorce life. In addition, the findings of the study suggested that divorced participants, particularly females, were quite resilient in overcoming financial hardship, single parenting, loneliness, and abandonment. This study’s results suggest that social workers need to be more knowledgeable about and equipped to provide adequate support and therapy to divorced persons’ post‑divorcé adjustment challenges. Another practice recommendation is that social workers should play a critical role in developing and facilitating a support group to help divorcees that are transitioning post‑divorce. In addition, special attention should be paid to provide additional help and support services for men who suffer mental and emotional effects of divorce transition.

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 88 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-119).