Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Background : A lack of peaceful sleep and adequate neck support during sleep has been described as a significant contributing factor to the development of chronic non-specific neck pain. Health-care practitioners often prescribe a cervical pillow for the treatment of chronic non-specific neck pain despite the ambivalent findings of several studies. Recently Simmons South Africa introduced the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow which it claims is able to support the cervical spine and promotes a restful sleep. This study, therefore, set out to determine the potential of the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow in alleviating chronic non-specific neck pain. Objective : This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow compared to the participant’s usual pillow (the control) in terms of objective and subjective findings in the management of chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods : Forty individuals, aged 18 to 45 years of age, experiencing chronic non-specific neck pain were recruited via convenience sampling. The study was a single-blinded, cross-over interventional study. All participants underwent a case history, physical and cervical orthopedic examination. Objective (algometer and Cervical Range of Motion measurements) and subjective (Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Sleep and pain diary) outcome measures were obtained at each of the five consultations over a four week period, with the cross-over occurring after two weeks. SPSS version 18.0 was used to analyze the data. Demographic data was analyzed using the Chi square tests and t-tests. The consultations were averaged for each phase of the cross over design to result in a two treatment, two period cross over design. Repeated measures ANOVA testing was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on subjective and objective measurement according to the method of Dallal (Esterhuizen, 2011). The sleep and pain diary data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Wald chi square test. Results : A significant difference in the perceived comfort levels between the two pillows (p < 0.001) was observed with the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow having a higher comfort rating. A significant decrease in NRS scores (p = 0.018); NDI scores (p < 0.001); and NRS scores on awakening (p < 0.001); neck stiffness rating on awakening (p < 0.00); headache rating on awakening (p = 0.043) was observed in relation to the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow. A significant improvement (p = 0.001) in algometer readings was observed when using the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow when compared to participants usual pillow. A significant increase in mean right lateral flexion measurements was observed in both groups when using the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow (p = Conclusions : The Simmons Beautyrest® pillow was effective in improving chronic non-specific neck pain. It was regarded as comfortable and provided relief with regards to the clinical features of non-specific neck pain. / Simmons South Africa Company

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy) -- University of South Australia, 1993

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Correct neck support is required during sleep to align the spine and maintain neutral posture, and to immobilise the joints in the neck which would allow the cervical paraspinal muscles to relax (De Laittre, 1974; Ambrogio et al., 1998; Erfanian et al., 1998). Poor spinal posture during sleep however, has been hypothesized to result in lateral bending and uneven loading on the intervertebral discs and cervical facet joints, and compression of pain-sensitive structures in the neck (Leilnahari et al., 2011). The pillow is a significant contributing factor to sleep quality and the development of symptoms on waking (Gordon et al., 2011). This should theoretically reduce pressure on the pain-sensitive structures and allow the intervertebral discs to be unloaded and rehydrated (Leilnahari et al., 2011). Aim: To determine and compare the effect of the Simmons’ Beautyrest pillow, a polyester foam pillow, a latex pillow, and no pillow, on cervico-thoracic and forward head posture in the supine and recumbent supine positions in asymptomatic individuals. Methods: Forty asymptomatic subjects between the ages of 20 and 30 years were recruited using convenience sampling. The study was a double-blinded comparative investigation where all participants underwent a case history, physical examination and an orthopaedic examination of the cervical spine. Thereafter, digital photographic images of the participants lying without a pillow and on three different pillows (Simmons Beautyrest® pillow, a polyester foam pillow and a latex pillow) in the supine and recumbent positions were captured. These images were then uploaded onto a computer, and using the linear co-ordinates of each anatomical landmark (which was determined by the researcher using CorelDraw Graphics Suite 12), the cervico-thoracic and craniocervical postures were determined. The cervico-thoracic posture was determined by calculating the gradients of the intersegmental slopes, relative to the horizontal plane, using the formula (y2 − y1)/(x2 − x1). The craniocervical posture was determined by calculating the craniocervical angle. This angle was determined by constructing lines between the anatomical landmarks and measuring the angle produced at C7. At the end of the objective data collection, participants were asked verbally which pillow they found most comfortable. All data was collected by the researcher. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare the mean slope measurements in the four conditions. Inferential techniques included Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test and t-tests. A p-value of < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. iv Results: The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 24.3 (± 2.57) years. In terms of pillow preference, 15 participants preferred the latex pillow, 8 preferred the polyester pillow and 17 preferred the Simmons Beautyrest® pillow. In the recumbent position for the C2-EOP slope the latex and Simmons Beautyrest® pillows supported the neck in a similar manner (p= 0.480) and closer to neutral than no pillow and the latex pillow. For the C4-C2 and the C7-C4 slopes, the latex pillow produced the least extreme slope. For the T3-C7 slope, the polyester pillow produced the slope closest to neutral. Overall, for the entire cervical spine, the latex pillow produced the least extreme slopes, but at the cervico-thoracic junction, the polyester pillow produced the most neutral slope. In all segments, the condition without a pillow produced the most extreme slopes. When comparing the slopes themselves, it can be seen that the most extreme deviations from neutral occurred at the C2-EOP segment. The midcervical spine deviated least from neutral. In the supine position, there were no significant differences (p> 0.05) in the sagittal angular displacement between the pillows. Conclusion: The results of this study support the view that there is no one particular pillow that is better than the others for providing optimal support to the head and neck. Furthermore, practitioners should be aware that it is the craniocervical and cervico-thoracic slopes, which are determined with the patient in the recumbent position, that provide significant information regarding support provided by the pillow rather than the sagittal angular displacement assessed in the supine position. / Durban University of Technology

This study addressed the lack of knowledge regarding the epidemiology of waking symptoms attributable to the cervico-thoraic spine. Five inter-linked studies were undertaken to investigate the relationships between reports of waking cervical pain, cervical stiffness, headache and scapular pain, cervico-thoracic spine posture in the side lying position and anthropometry. This has culminated in evidence based advice regarding pillow use. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2004.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The aim of this study was to determine whether improving a patient’s sleep ergonomics with the use of a cervical memory foam pillow was beneficial when combined with. A total of thirty participants volunteered to take part in this study - fifteen females and fifteen males. All were between the ages of eighteen and forty years old. The participants were randomly placed into one of two groups, each group consisting of fifteen participants. Group 1 received chiropractic manipulation to the restricted segment/s of the cervical spine, while Group 2 received both chiropractic manipulation to the restricted segment/s of the cervical spine and a Sleep Active® Memory Foam® cervical spine pillow. The participant of Group 2 were given their pillow and were given instructions on how to use the pillow at home whilst sleeping, and were requested to sleep with this pillow throughout the duration of the study. Procedure: In this study each participant received six chiropractic treatments over a period of three weeks and one final follow-up visit where no treatment was administered. Subjective and objective data was recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations. The subjective data included the Numerical Pain Rating scale (NPRS), Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index, the sleep component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index (component 7) and a modified Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Objective data included measurement of cervical spine range of motion with the use of a goniometer. Results: Statistical analysis performed included the non-parametric tests to determine if significant statistical results were found over time. The Friedman and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests were performed for intra-group analysis and the Mann-Whitney U Test for intergroup analysis. Further correlation studies were conducted using the parametric, Pearson’s Test. The statistical analysis revealed significant statistical changes for intra-group results for both Group 1 and Group 2 and also significant statistical results for the intergroup analysis of the NPRS. The Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index and the PSQI, yielded similar results - significant statistical changes within the intra-group analysis were found. The sleep component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index (Component 7) showed no significant statistical change for the participants of Group 1, however, a significant statistical change was found for the participants of Group 2. No significant statistical difference was found between the groups for the intergroup analysis, over time. Correlation studies between pain (NPRS) and sleep (Sleep Component of the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index) were included in the statistical analysis. It was found that no correlation between sleep and pain existed for those participants in Group 1, whereas Group 2 showed a trend between pain and sleep. The objective data collected from this study (cervical spine range of motion) was inconclusive. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that addressing sleep ergonomics with the use of Sleep Active® Memory Foam® Pillows to be an effective addition to a chiropractic treatment protocol when treating patients diagnosed with chronic cervical facet syndrome. Additionally, a relationship between sleep and pain was shown to exist and poor sleep should be considered when treating patients with chronic pain syndromes.

El siguiente proyecto se basa en la producción y comercialización de almohadas para personas entre las edades de 18 a 39 años que vivan en Lima Metropolitana del nivel socioeconómico A, B y C. Aplicamos encuestas y entrevistas con el objetivo de poder de conocer las preferencias de los futuros clientes, así como también conocer sus experiencias de compra en las redes sociales y así identificar que tanto alcance se lograría obtener. Luego de la validación de este problema se pudo plantear una solución: Las almohadas Descansin. Las almohadas cuentan con diseño variables en cuanto a diseño, tamaño y aroma, así mismo nuestro producto es de uso práctico, adaptable a cualquier espacio y a cualquier momento que se desee tomar un breve descanso, evitando los futuros dolores musculares ocasionados por una mala postura. El desarrollo de nuestro proyecto está dividido en dos partes. En la primera parte se validó el modelo de negocio por medio de métodos de investigación cualitativos y cuantitativos y la segunda parte fue el desarrollo del plan de negocio, para el cual se requiere una inversión de 29,532.13 soles. / The following project is based on the production and marketing of pillows for people between 18 and 39 years old who live in Metropolitan Lima of socioeconomic level A, B and C. We applied surveys and interviews with the objective of being able to know the preferences. of future customers, as well as learning about their shopping experiences on social networks and thus identifying how far it would go. After validation of this problem, a solution could be proposed: rest the pillows. The pillows have a variable design in terms of design, size and aroma, in the same way, our product is practical to use, adaptable to any space and at any time you want to take a short break, avoiding future muscle pain caused by a bad posture. The development of our project is divided into two parts. In the first part, the business model was validated through qualitative and quantitative research methods, and the second part was the development of the business plan, for which an investment of 29,532.13 soles is required. / Trabajo de investigación