Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-177). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-177).

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University.

M. Tech. / There is still much to be learnt about proprioception and it’s role in postural control mechanisms. Joint position sense accuracy has been developed as a means to evaluate proprioception and extensive studies have been performed on patients with chronic neck pain. To date, there has been limited research that has been conducted on the various therapeutic modalities, which may affect joint position sense accuracy and proprioception. However, no research has been performed on patients who are asymptomatic, to determine the true effects of Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy on joint position sense accuracy and proprioception. Chiropractic Cervical adjustive techniques are delivered by hand and bring about neurophysiological change within the nervous system. It is not known exactly how long the effects of the Chiropractic adjustment lasts and it is only speculated that the shortterm effects are over a twenty minute period, as cavitation of the joint occurs (Gatterman, 2005; Herzog, 2000). The purpose of this research was to determine if Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy of the cervical spine could produce an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy, in participants who were asymptomatic and only presenting with hypomobile joint dysfunction. A random sample of 60 participants, presenting with no history of pain, were assessed for hypomobile joint dysfunction. All participants underwent a full Case History, Pertinent Physical examination and a Regional Examination of the Cervical Spine. Each participant had to complete the Subject Information and Consent Form. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy and Group B received detuned ultrasound, and was therefore the control group. The cervical range of motion (CROM) device was placed on the participant’s head, aligned on the bridge of the nose and ears. It was secured, behind the head, by a velcro strap. The CROM device was also mounted with a laser beam device. This enabled objective readings to be recorded, as each participant performed the Cervicocephalic Kinesthetic Sensibility Test. The procedure required the participant to alternatively rotate their head to the left and then to the right, as objective readings was recorded. Readings were taken before treatment was administered and then again after treatment was administered. The pre-treatment scores and post-treatment scores between the two groups were compared, using the paired samples test. The objective analyses showed that Group A (adjustment group) showed better results in improved joint position accuracy, in comparison to Group B (control group). The preliminary findings of this study show that Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy has an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy. This has major implications with respect to the vital role that Chiropractic cervical adjustments may have, on maintaining proprioceptive input and postural control mechanisms. The duration, by which Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy effects joint position sense accuracy is unknown and further investigation into this, is still required.

A study was undertaken to identify the effect of head flexion/extension on singing voice quality. The amplitude of the fundamental frequency (F0), and the singing power ratio (SPR), an indirect measure of singer’s formant activity, were measured. F0 and SPR scores at four experimental head positions were compared with the subjects’ scores at their habitual positions. Three vowels and three pitch levels were tested. F0 amplitudes and low frequency partials in general were greater with more extended head positions, while SPR increased with neck flexion. No effect of pitch or vowel was found. Gains in SPR appear to be the result of damping low frequency partials rather than amplifying those in the singer’s formant region. Raising the amplitude of F0 is an important resonance tool for female voices in the high range, and may be of benefit to other voice types in resonance, loudness, and laryngeal function.

No description available.

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Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology : Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction: Symptoms associated with large breasts result from bra strap chafing, poor body posture, headaches, neck, shoulder, thoracic and lower back pain. There is a paucity of literature quantifying objective data regarding the effect of breast size on posture. Therefore correct bra sizing may improve posture, however this is undetermined. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bra correction on selected postural parameters in order to determine its relevance in a clinical setting. Methodology: Sixty five females who met the inclusion criteria had the following parameters recorded: age, height, weight, body mass index, occupation, and underbust and overbust bra size. An anterior-posterior, right and left lateral digital photographs were taken before and after bra correction. These were then processed using the Posture Pro software. The data was analysed using the latest version of SPSS. The results were presented by means of standard deviations and ranges and differences between pre and post measures were performed with an ANOVA. Results: It was found that there was no correlation between changes in any of the four parameters from pre to post correction, which changed significantly with postural correction (4/43 post correction significant readings) and the demographic variables. Most participants changed to a larger cup sizes after correction which is in line with Greenbaum, (2003) who found that participants tend to buy a smaller bra size. In this study 3% of the study population changed to a bigger cup size and 97% wore bras that were too tight. Similar to the findings of Wood eta/., (2008) who found that 70% of the study population wore bras that are too small and 10% wore bras that were too big. Conclusion: In the study on effect of incorrect bra size on selected postural parameters it was found the there were four parameters that changed significantly with p<O, 05 [ANOVA]. Further investigation needs to be done on a larger sample size, age group range, BMI and different demographic. / PDF copy unavailable. please refer to hard copy for full text information / M

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Asthma management is a public health issue that is complex. Medication, asthma triggers, age, and the environment are all factors that impact asthma management. There is a gap in research in terms of what lifestyle characteristics need to be in place in order for adults to manage asthma. Shaw found that posture care is a lifestyle variable that should be explored as it relates to asthma management in older adults. The Life University Clinic (Marietta, GA) sees asthmatic patients daily and teaches them about a posture care routine through a program called Straighten Up. Based on the health belief model, this study explored how the Straighten Up routine exercises impacted asthma management in adult asthmatic patients with severe asthma (n =304 ). Ordinal regression and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationships between using the Straighten Up posture exercises (independent variable) for 3 months with 3 dependent variables: patients' sleep patterns (night time awakenings due to asthma), use of quick relief medication, and hospitalizations (ER Visits) due to asthma. Straighten Up posture exercises reduced night time sleep interruptions, but not hospitalizations due to asthma or the use of quick relief medications. For persons with asthma, Straighten Up could be an additional tool to manage their asthma and reduce the known impacts of sleep deprivation including accidents, memory loss, and heart disease. For organizations who serve asthmatics, Straighten Up could be an additional resource to share with the population they serve. As a result of this study, Straighten Up exercises are recommended for adult asthmatics with severe asthma as part of their asthma management plan.

Cellists are interested in ways to produce the largest sound possible in order to meet modern acoustic challenges. This research examined cellists' lower body posture, how lower posture affected the manner in which the cello was held, and ultimately, what effect this had on the instrument's sound. Lower posture is significant because it affects sound production. This research analyzed cello treatises, images of prominent cellists, and conducted sound lab tests. The treatise and image research investigated how foot placement, endpin length, angle, and tilt of the cello affected the amount of leg contact with the instrument. The sound lab research used a bowing apparatus and audio software to measure the effect of leg contact on sound production. The results of this study showed that lower posture affected the amount of contact made between the player and cello. The sound lab tests revealed that less leg contact led to larger amplitudes produced by the cello. This research also discovered that the contact from each leg uniquely affected certain frequencies. Research on lower posture's effect on sound may benefit performing cellists, pedagogues, luthiers, and researchers.