The effects of aging on joint position sense of the cervical spine following cervical spine manipulative therapy

Abstract: The relationship between aging and the effects of spinal manipulation on joint position sense has not been fully investigated. As the body ages; the cervical spine undergoes degenerative changes, leading to decrease in cervical range of motion (ROM), cervical muscle strength and an altered length-tension relationship. These degenerative changes contribute to a reduction in joint position sense. Restriction in cervical spine ROM cause altered afferent input and could cause inadequate accuracy of joint position sense and proprioception, increasing the risk for injury. Cervical spinal manipulative therapy could positively influence accuracy of joint position sense. Young, Hay and Wilcox (2008) established that spinal manipulative therapy has beneficial effects on joint position sense for asymptomatic patients between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. However, the treatment protocol for older adults regarding joint position sense has not been adequately researched. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aging plays a role in joint position sense of the cervical spine following cervical spine manipulation. A sample group of 30 participants (3 groups of 10 participants) between the ages of 30 and 59 was recruited via advertisements to partake in this quantitative study on a voluntary basis and divided accordingly. The participants were placed in groups according to their age and each group was represent a specific decade. The participants were excluded if they had presented with any contra-indications to chiropractic manipulation and did not fall into the age criteria. All participants underwent a full case history, a physical examination and a regional examination. The cervical spine proprioception was assessed by using the cervical range of motion (CROM) device for cervical rotation. In conjunction with the CROM device, a laser pointer device was attached to determine the total displacement of head repositioning during the cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility test. Pre-manipulation objective measurements was acquired during the initial consultation via the CROM device and cervicocephalic kinaesthetic sensibility test. During the initial and 6 follow up consultations, the participant received spinal manipulative therapy to the...M.Tech. (Chiropractic