Comparing effects of MET and hydrotherapy on combined atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joint range of motion

Item

Title
Comparing effects of MET and hydrotherapy on combined atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joint range of motion
Author(s)
Medlicott Helen
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of muscle energy technique and hot-pack hydrotherapy, applied to the sub-occipital muscle group, on the combined range of motion (R.O.M.) of the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints. The significance of gender and order of treatment application were also investigated.
Summary of Background Data: Despite extensive suggestion and some studies, there is little research on the link between clinical presentations and sub-occipital segment dysfunction, or on the sub-occipital segment alone. Both muscle energy technique and hydrotherapy are techniques widely used in osteopathic treatment for a variety of conditions and presentations. However, little research has been carried out on the effects of these techniques as investigations are more focused on variations of muscle energy technique such as P.N.F. and stretching, and application of dry heat. Consequently the mechanisms of the effect of the techniques are not clearly understood. Theories proposed to explain the mechanisms include neuromuscular theory and viscoelastic theory.
Setting: Exercise physiology laboratory, The British College of Osteopathic Medicine (B.C.O.M.) Lief House, London, NW3.
Design: Intervention group subjects were randomly placed into groups and received treatment intervention in the opposite order to each other. A one-week rest period occurred between the two treatments to avoid carry-over effect. M.E.T. was applied to the sub-occipital muscle group and the hydrotherapy involved the application of a hot-pack applied to the sub-occipital region for 4 minutes. The control group lay supine for a period of 4 minutes between pre and post-intervention measurements.
Subjects: 32 subjects (16 males, 16 females) from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year student population at B.C.O.M. formed the intervention group. A further 14 subjects (7 males, 7 females) formed the control group. The age of the subjects ranged from 19-28 years old, and all were screened to ensure they were asymptomatic and suitable for the investigation.
Method: Subjects' sub-occipital range of motion (i.e. combined atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joint range of motion) was measured before and after the intervention (control, M.E.T. or hot-pack hydrotherapy) using the C.R.O.M.
Results: Both genders and groups were initially merged and analysed, and later analysed separately. Data was analysed using F-tests and/or T-tests. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant increase in flexion and extension range of motion following muscle energy technique (P<0.0071) and following hydrotherapy (P<0.0372) No significant difference was found between the effects of muscle energy technique and hydrotherapy (P>0.3792) Gender and order of treatment were found not to be significant in the effect of range of motion (P>0.3353)
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that both muscle energy technique and hot-pack hydrotherapy, applied to the sub-occipital muscle group, are effective techniques in increasing the sub-occipital range of motion in both flexion and extension, in asymptomatic subjects, aged 19-28 years.
presented at
British College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date Accepted
0
Date Submitted
1.1.1970 00:00:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
13647
Inst-Identifier
1076
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Medlicott Helen, “Comparing effects of MET and hydrotherapy on combined atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joint range of motion”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 26, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1110