M.Tech.

Mini-dissertation in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, in the Department of Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / The aim of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of Transeva and spinal manipulative therapy for mechanical low back pain. The objectives evaluated the effectiveness of only administering Transeva therapy alone, or Spinal manipulative therapy alone as well as Transeva therapy with Spinal manipulative therapy on mechanical low back pain with respect to the patients’ subjective and objective responses to the respective treatment group. The final objective was to correlate the subjective and objective data collected to determine the effectiveness of each of the therapies in comparison with another. Design: A sample of thirty patients diagnosed with mechanical low back pain were accepted into the study. These patients were randomly divided into three groups of 10, which received different treatment protocols for mechanical low back pain. Outcome Measure: The following outcomes were measured; a decrease in pain (measured with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS), a decrease in disability (measured with the Roland-Morris Questionnaire), a decrease in local tenderness (measured with the pressure Algometer) and an increase in lumbar range of motion (measured with the Inclinometer). The data was collected prior to treatment one, prior to treatment four and at the sixth follow-up visit. Results and Conclusion: All groups improved with the treatments they received; however, no single treatment was statistically better than any other treatment intervention tested. However, the Spinal manipulative therapy group had a statistically significant faster reduction in pain on the NRS readings with p=0.048.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masterà ¢ s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Objectives: To determine the short-term effect of an inhaled, short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator on chest wall expansion (cm) and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%) in chronic moderate asthmatics. To determine the short-term effect of spinal manipulation (SMT) and ribcage mobilisation on chest wall expansion (cm) and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%) in chronic moderate asthmatics. To determine the short-term effect of a combination of SMT, ribcage mobilisation and an inhaled, short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator on chest wall expansion (cm) and lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%) in chronic moderate asthmatics. Methods: Forty-five chronic moderate asthmatics who met all the inclusion criteria of the study were divided into three groups of fifteen each. Group A received a short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator, Group B received SMT and ribcage mobilisation and Group C received a combination of SMT, ribcage mobilisation and a short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator. Baseline measurements and testing included chest wall expansion and the lung function parameters FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%. These measurements were repeated 15 minutes post-intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Results: There were no statistically significant changes between pre- and post-intervention in the short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator group with respect to any of the chest wall expansion measurements. There was a statisticallly significant increase in FEV1 between pre- and post-intervention in the short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator group (p = 0.008). There was a statistically significant increase in the mean pre- and post-intervention axillary chest wall expansion (p = 0.014) as well as the mean of the half-way measurement (p = 0.014) and the overall mean chest wall expansion value (p = 0.001) following SMT and ribcage mobilisation. There were no statistically significant changes in any of the lung function parameter values following SMT and ribcage mobilisation. There was a significant increase for the half-way measurement in chest wall expansion (p = 0.018) in the combination of SMT, ribcage mobilisation and the inhaled, short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator group. There were no statistically significant changes in any of the lung function parameter values in the combination of SMT, ribcage mobilisation and an inhaled, short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator. For FEV1, the effect in the short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator group vs. the SMT and ribcage mobilisation group was statistically significant (p = 0.018). There was no statistical difference in any of the chest wall expansion measurements and FVC and FEV1/FVC% parameters between all three groups. Conclusions The results did not point specifically to one intervention over another for all outcomes. SMT and rib mobilisation had no effect on the lung function parameters, at least in the short term. There was a statisticallly significant increase in FEV1 between pre- and post-intervention in the short-acting 2-agonist bronchodilator group.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic) - Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xvii, 58 leaves, Annexures A-J / It has generally been accepted that 60 to 80% of the general population will suffer from low back pain at some point in their life. (Kirkaldy - Willis, 1992). The use of manipulation for the treatment of low back pain is well documented but lumbar mobilization has undergone comparatively little investigation (Goodsell et al., 2000). Furthermore, there remains little evidence to advocate the use of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) in the form of a randomized clinical trial (Wilson, 2003). The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with acute and sub-acute low back pain would demonstrate a reduction in disability after being treated with MET or specific passive mobilization. Both interventions are joint mobilization techniques the only difference being that one is passive and the other (MET), is an active technique

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, at Technikon Natal, 1999. / The purpose of this investigation was to compare the relative effect of spinal manipulation as opposed to acupuncture treatment in order to determine a more effective approach in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. It was hypothesized that chiropractic treatment and acupuncture treatment would both be effective in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. However, it was proposed that the chiropractic treatment would be more effective than acupuncture treatment / M

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / This study aims to compare sacroiliac joint adjustments versus pubic symphysis adjustments in the treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction with regards to pain and disability as well as alternative treatment approaches in treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction.This study was a comparative study that consisted of two groups of fifteen participants each. The participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty five with an equal male to female ratio. The potential participants were examined and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study. The method of treatment that was administered was determined by group allocation. Group 1 received Chiropractic manipulative therapy delivered to the restricted sacroiliac joint and Group 2 received Chiropractic manipulative therapy delivered to the pubic symphysis.Treatment consisted of six treatment sessions with an additional follow up consultation over a three week period. Objective and subjective data was measured at the beginning of the 1st, 4th and 7th consultations. Subjective readings were taken from The Oswestry Pain and Disability Questionnaire as well as The Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Objective measurements were taken from The Orthopaedic Rating Scale. Analysis of the data collected throughout the study were performed by a statistician. The Chiropractic manipulative techniques used were based on restrictions identified during motion palpation and were applied at the first six consultations, with the seventh consultation consisting of data collection only.

M.Tech. / Purpose: To compare the efficacy of diversified side posture adjustments and segmental drop piece adjustments in the treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Method: Thirty-two participants were randomly divided in two equal groups. Group A (n = 16) received diversified side posture adjustments and Group B (n = 16) received segmental drop piece adjustments. The trial consisted of seven sessions over a period of three weeks, of which the first six were treatment sessions, with the final seventh session serving the purpose of obtaining final post-treatment data. Data was obtained only at the first, third, fifth and seventh sessions. Objective data consisted of measuring lumbar spine range of motion using a digital inclinometer and pain pressure tolerance over the middle of the sacroiliac joint line by using a pressure algometer. Subjective data was obtained by having each participant complete a numerical pain rating scale and the Oswestry back pain and disability questionnaire.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Chronic lower back pain (LBP) is considered as one of the most prevalent conditions in our society with 70-85% of the population experiencing pain at some point in their lives and 80% having recurrent episodes. The majority of chronic LBP is treated with conservative care, with spinal manipulation being a treatment modality shown to be beneficial resulting in restoration of normal ranges of movement, decrease of muscle spasm and there is an overall biomechanical change. One of the more modern trends is combining manipulation with taping. It has been shown that with the application of Kinesio tape to the lumbar para-spinal muscles effectively increases lumbar range of motion and decreases pain with the relaxation of tense muscles as well as increase in proprioception as the tape increasingly stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Elastic bandage has been shown to improve proprioceptive acuity as it stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors, as well as providing support to joint structure. The purpose of this study was to determine the superiority of one tape versus the other as well as the efficacy of the individual tape and whether the combination treatment of spinal manipulative therapy and taping of the lumbar paraspinal muscles are possibly a more effective treatment protocol in the treatment of chronic lower back pain. Method: This clinical study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years of age. Group 1 was treated with lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of Kinesio tape􀂥. Group 2 was treated with lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of elastic bandage. Treatment took place over a period of three weeks and participants were treated six times out of a total of seven consultations. Procedure: Subjective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale and an Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire to assess pain and disability. Objective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a digital inclinometer for assessing lumbar spine range of motion. Data recorded was analyzed by a statistician. Results: Clinically and statistically significant improvements were noted in both groups over the course of the study with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine range of motion. Conclusion: The results show that both combination treatments of spinal manipulative therapy and the application of Kinesio™ tape or elastic adhesive bandage are effective treatment protocols, both clinical and statistical in decreasing pain, disability and improving lumbar range of motion in patients with chronic lower back pain. However neither treatment protocols proved to be superior over the other.

M.Tech.

Repetitive movements of the arm in or above the horizontal plane, can initiate the development of impingement syndrome of the shoulder (Wolin and Tarbet, 1997:56, 59). Impingement syndrome of the shoulder is a 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 treatment protocol in the management of impingement syndrome of the shoulder due to supraspinatus tendonitis. This randomised study consisted of three groups of ten patients, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five. All potential candidates for the trial were examined and admitted once all the exclusion and inclusion criteria had been met. Once joint restrictions were found in the cervical and/ or thoracic spine and the acromioclavicular joint, diversified chiropractic manipulative therapy was administered to all the patients. Group A received cervical and/ or thoracic spine manipulations, Group B received acromioclavicular joint manipulations, and Group C received a combination of spinal manipulations (cervical and/ or thoracic) and acromioclavicular joint manipulations. Patients were treated over a two-week treatment period. Measurements were recorded on the first, third and sixth treatments. The objective data consisted of pain free shoulder abduction range of motion, the presence of a painful arc of the shoulder, a positive supraspinatus test and/or Neers and/or Hawkins impingement test. The subjective data included the numerical pain rating scale 101 questionnaire. The statistical analysis that was conducted included the One Way ANOVA (analysis of variance) as well as the Student-Newman-Keuls Method to compare intra-group and inter-group data. Statistically significant changes were seen in all three groups. However, group A (cervical and/ or thoracic spinal manipulations) and group B (acromioclavicular joint manipulations) showed to be the most effective in treating impingement syndrome of the shoulder. This does however require further research, and a larger sample size. / Dr. M. Moodley Dr. G. Sher