M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a cervical support pillow in conjunction with correcting abnormal cervical spine biomechanical function (by intervention of high-speed, low-amplitude spinal manipulation in the cervical spine) versus correcting abnormal cervical spine biomechanical function alone, to determine which is the most effective treatment protocol for cervicogenic headache. Thirty-two subjects suffering from frequent, chronic headaches who fulfilled the International Headache Society criteria for cervicogenic headache participated in the investigation. These subjects were recruited from 70 headache sufferers who responded to newspaper and poster advertisements. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups as they enrolled for participation. The sixteen patients in group one received cervical spine manipulation twice a week for three weeks. The other sixteen patients received cervical spine manipulation twice a week for three weeks and used a cervical support pillow for sleeping over the three-week period. The main outcome measures included the following: Patients completed a daily headache diary. This monitored the change from week one to week three in analgesic use per day, headache intensity per episode, headache frequency per week and number of headache hours experienced per day. Cervical active range of motion readings were taken at all consultations prior to treatment, using a goniometer. A Neck Pain and Disability Index (Vernon- Mior) Questionnaire and a Numerical Pain Rating Scale 101 were completed by each patient at the initial, second, fourth and sixth visits. In conclusion, it cannot be denied that the combination of a cervical support pillow and correction of cervical spine joint complex dysfunction using standard chiropractic manipulative techniques is a more effective treatment protocol for the management of cervicogenic headache, as it has a far greater benefit with regard to improving the ranges of motion of the cervical spine and a similar effect in improving patient's perception of pain intensity, headache frequency, headache duration and level of functional disability as related to cervicogenic headache, than manipulation of joint complex dysfunction in the cervical spine alone. The short-term symptomatic relief and long-term goals of chiropractic management for cervicogenic headache with specific chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy may be improved by combining the use of a cervical support pillow to this already beneficial and effective protocol.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:11814 |
| Date | 23 July 2014 |
| Creators | Ross, Claire- Ann. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
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