M.Tech. / PURPOSE: Impingement syndrome of the shoulder is a very common problem, yet the diagnosis and management of it is still not completely understood. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the most effective chiropractic treatment protocol in the management of impingement syndrome due to supraspinatus tendonitis. This was done by comparing objective and subjective measures gained during a treatment protocol consisting either of administering corrective chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine and/or the thoracic spine, to the glenohumeral joint or to both of these areas. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial consisted of three groups of fifteen patients, each between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years old. All potential candidates were examined and cleared for participation in the clinical trials subsequent to a selection process and X-ray examination if necessary. Diversified chiropractic manipulative techniques were used for all patients provided joint restrictions were detected. Group A received glenohumeral joint manipulations, Group B received spinal manipulations and Group C received a combination of spinal and glenohumeral joint manipulations. PROCEDURE: Patients were treated for six consultations over a two-week period. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for four weeks after that in order to determine the lasting effects of the treatment protocol. At the first, third, sixth and follow-up visit, measurements were recorded. Objective data included pain free shoulder abduction range of motion, the presence of a painful arc of the shoulder and the presence of a positive supraspinatus test. Subjective data included the numerical pain rating scale-101 scores. RESULTS: statistical analysis was conducted using the parametric One Way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and unpaired t-tests as well as the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis One Way ANOVA on Ranks and Mann-Whitney Rank Sum tests to compare intragroup and intergroup data. III CONCLUSIONS: Although all three groups showed numerical improvements throughout the treatment period, only group A showed statistically significant improvements. This study therefore suggests that manipulation of the glenohumeral joint is more effective in the treatment of impingement syndrome of the shoulder with regard to short-term as well as long-term symptomatic relief. This however requires further research, as a larger sample size is required

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 1997. / Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common and costly conditions confronting health care providers and medical insurers today. Despite' the magnitude of the problem no general consensus exists concerning an appropriate treatment for this condition. / M

M.Tech. / OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the effect of Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) to the cervico-thoracic junction on the activity of the ipsilateral latissimus dorsi with regards to muscle activity measured by electromyography and activity of the trigger points measured by the algometer. STUDY DESIGN: Fourty subjects with lower cervical spine pain and dysfunction underwent six spinal manipulative treatments on alternative days over a 3 week period (excluding weekends) to test the changes in activity of the ipsi-lateral Latissimus Dorsi muscle. SETTING: Chiropractic Day Clinic at the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. SUBJECTS: Forty subjects with lower cervical spine pain participated in this study. Each of the subjects was randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A consisted of 20 subjects receiving SMT to the cervico thoracic junction. Group B consisted of 20 subjects receiving de-tuned ultra-sound to the area of cervical spine pain. METHODS: Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity and its trigger point activity were tested before and after the first consultation using electromyography and the algometer respectively. After consultations two, four and six readings were taken. For the electromyography readings subjects were asked to lie down in a prone position with their arms next to their sides. They were then instructed to lie as still as possible for three minutes. The mean, peak and minimum values from the surface electromyographic meter were recorded, analysed and compared for reference. For the algometer readings, the researcher grasped the Latissimus Dorsi muscle along the free border at the posterior axillary fold of the midscapular level. The algometer was then pushed into this point and candidates had to indicate when they started to feel pain. This measurement was then recorded. RESULTS: Data was analysed using the T-test for independent samples to compare the two individual groups. Repeated measures ANOVA was useful to investigate changes over time. If one considers Group A as the superior group, no statistical significant difference were noted between Group A and Group B regarding the electromyographic readings. With regards to the algometer readings no statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups except for the last consultation (treatment 4) of Group A where the p-value = 0.035<0.05. CONCLUSION: In light of these findings, it can be concluded that there were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B, regarding the electromyographic readings. Group A showed the most favourable treatment efficacy in terms of the algometer readings. The trends shown in this study should be used and tested in future similar research studies incorporating larger sample groups.

M.Tech.

M. Tech. / OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy (CSMT) of the cervical spine on the key-strike accuracy of adults typing on a standard keyboard. By reducing the negative neural and other effects caused by aberrant movement between vertebrae, CSMT could allow optimal propagation and processing of upper limb proprioceptive information and improve cognitive processing needed for accurate typing. DESIGN: Forty subjects presenting to the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Clinic participated in the study. The participants were allocated to one of two groups. Participants in the Experimental Group received spinal manipulative therapy to restricted segments in the cervical spine, as was determined by motion palpation of the cervical spine. Participants in the Control Group received detuned ultrasound therapy as a placebo. Patients were seen a total of six times over a period of three weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked to copy a document on a standard computer keyboard, once before the treatment trial, and once following the treatment trial. The number of errors made pre-treatment was calculated and compared to the number of errors made post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients in the experimental group made significantly less typing errors following the treatment trial, while there was no difference in the number of typing errors made by patients in the control group. The results of this study increase potential for the chiropractic profession to contribute to the efficiency of the increasing number of people in the population that perform work on computers.

M. Tech. / Method The purpose of this study was to determine whether spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) of the cervical spinal segments would have any influence on the reaction and response time of a cricket player. It has been suggested that a dysfunctional vertebral subluxation complex can cause a decrease in visual performance. The decreased visual performance may be due to decreased blood flow to the visual centers of the brain. Thirty six participants (3 cricket teams) participated in this study. They were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of eighteen subjects who received spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) of the cervical spine. The eighteen subjects in Group B received detuned ultrasound to the cervical spine The inclusion criteria required the participant to be a male cricket player who was asymptomatic, without any history of cervical spine surgery and without any current injuries (e.g. hand or wrist fractures). The participant had to be between the ages of sixteen and twenty one and have no contra-indications to spinal manipulative therapy. Measure Objective data was obtained by the Wayne’s Saccadic Fixator ® which determined the patients’ visual reaction time. After testing the participants’ visual reaction time, the one group received SMT and the other group received detuned ultrasound. After which all participants’ reaction and response time were retested. vii Results Although there was a decrease in the reaction and response time of the players after spinal manipulative therapy, the objective results showed that due to the small sample size and different baseline values of the participants in this study there was no statistical proof that Chiropractic treatment had a positive influence on the reaction and response time of the participants.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The study evaluated any changes in serum p-endorphin levels before and after a chiropractic adjustment and mobilisation ofthe cervical spine. Three groups of male and female subjects were randomly assigned; the chiropractic group, mobilisation group and detuned ultrasound (control group). Each group consisted of 10 subjects, aged between 18 to 35 with equal numbers of males and females. All subjects were mentally and physically healthy, and were instructed to refrain from nicotine and caffeine intake at least one hour prior to the experiment, as these substances are stimulants and may influence the results. The research protocol involved having blood taken five minutes before the treatment, and repeated five minutes after the treatment. The experimental group received bilateral cervical spine adjustments. The mobilisation group under-went cervical spine mobilisation with oscillatory motion, but no thrust was included. The control group had detuned ultrasound applied to their posterior cervical and trapezius muscles. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture and the p-endorphin levels were analysed using immunoenzymometric assay technique. The results of this study demonstrated that a decrease in p-endorphin levels occurred post intervention in the spinal adjustment group. The mobilisation and detuned ultrasound groups both experienced an increase in p-endorphin levels, but the increase was not statistically significant. This finding allows us to hypothesize that the pain-relieving effects of the chiropractic adjustment, may not be due to a release of p-endorphins, but may be due to the analgesic effect of another system that is not opiate mediated.

The convergence of computer and communication technology, the readily availability, affordability and popularity of this new technology, as well as the impact of consumer behaviour of a diversity of technology-centred generations on global economic activities, all contribute to the provision of a base for the emerging of an information revolution that will both be far-reaching and unsettling. Society accordingly needs an appropriate and effective frame of reference, terminology and methodology for the establishment of psychological skills with which to equip people to handle the complexity of change in the future. The promovenda recognized the challenge to equip individuals and organizations with the required psychological skills. She studied the change phenomenon through action research and did this by way of a theoretical and empirical investigation. The thesis investigated change, planned change, transformation and related phenomena, such as technological development, globalization, diversity of the work force, ethical issues and generational differences in order to construct a context with which to understand the complexity of escalating and accelerating change. Predictable individual and organizational reactions to change were emphasized, whilst the principles of a learning organization were put forward as the best option for effectively dealing with change and transformation. Individual reactions to change formed the base of an integrated framework for the understanding of the psychodynamics of the phenomenon. Change cycles with characteristic phases were discussed. A holistic model of a phased approach to change was formulated, based on preceding research work by the candidate and also served as a frame of reference for the effective handling of change. The psychological dynamics of each phase were described and these also formed the foundation of a questionnaire, workshop and follow-up session related to the management of change. The theoretical investigation led to proposals on how leaders might render individual assistance to employees during interventions of planned change. The empirical component of the investigation consisted of a preliminary and a main investigation. The presentation of a workshop and accompanying follow-up session were assessed by means of a questionnaire that was completed prior to, during and after the intervention, amongst other by use of Cronbach’s approach to reliability assessment of the instrument, multiple analysis of variance with concomitant Scheffé tests as well as Hotelling’s T2 test for the comparison of profiles. Proficiency in the handling of change was continually presented as the most preferred option that individuals and organizations could use for the establishment of learning skills with which to realize future change in the present day. / Thesis (PhD(Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / PhD / unrestricted

Pupils entering High School for the first time experience many problems of orientation and adjustment. This study arose from the conviction that something could be done to alleviate this time of stress to the benefit of both pupil and school alike. A brief review of literature showed that despite a fair amount of research having been done in Britain and the United States, there is still a dearth of information relating directly to the South African situation. Most transition studies differentiate between factors affecting academic adjustment, those relating to personal adjustment after transfer, and those which involve adjustment to environmental factors. In general studies approached orientation pogrammes from two perspectives - those that handled orientation as an event with its concomitant administrative and practical advantages, and those that saw it to be a process which has more person-focussed advantages. Most researchers agree that each school has its own needs and that the orientation programme should reflect those needs. Many favour a problem-solving approach to the design of any programme and emphasize the need for constant evaluation of the programme to maintain relevance and effectiveness. A low-key investigation into adjustment problems faced by new pupils in the High School was conducted by means of a questionnaire. Three main areas of information were investigated: attitude to school; personal adjustment as indicated by the self-concept; and general impression of Secondary School. The results confirmed that problems of orientation and adjustment are experienced by pupils in the South African Education System and revealed a framework upon which an orientation programme could be based. An overview of existing orientation programme objectives stresses the fact that orientation must be concerned with the total adjustment of the child - personal, academic and environmental - and that, of necessity, it involves the whole family. An orientation programme is outlined and expanded upon in order to provide a framework upon which other programmes could be designed, specific to the particular needs of the schools involved. Finally, certain observations are offered which may lead to a better understanding of the demands of the orientation process

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic at Technikon Natal, 1998. / The cause of postnatal low back pain is not clearly understood. There have been few studies performed to determine the cause, and several theories have attempted to explain the occurrence of postnatal low back pain. It is suggested that an exaggerated lumbar lordosis, laxity of the ligaments due to relaxin, biomechanical strain on the muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine and pelvis and temporary compensatory posture are possible aetiologies of postnatal low back pain. (Calguneri et al. 1982; Bullock et al. 1987 ; Berg et al. 1988; Wisneski et al.1992: 711 ; Mantle 1994:799.) / M