Marcelo Anderson Bracht1, Ana Carina Buogo Coan1, Abdalghani Yahya2, Marcio José Dos Santos1,2. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Center of Health Sciences and Sport, Santa Catarina State University, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. 2. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Professions, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Individuals with neck pain experience disrupted grip force control when performing manipulative tasks. Manipulative physical therapy might decrease pain and change the activity of surrounding muscles; however, its effect on upper limb motor control remains undetermined. This study aims to analyze the effects of cervical manipulation on pressure pain threshold (PPT), upper extremity muscle activity along with grip force control in individuals with neck pain. METHODS: Thirty subjects with neck pain were instructed to grasp and lift an object before and after cervical (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) manipulation. The patients' PPT, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper extremity/scapular muscles, and grip force control were analyzed before and after one session of manipulation. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the grip force control, PPT and EMG activity variables between groups. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that a single session of cervical manipulation may not modify upper limb motor control, more specifically grip force control and EMG activity, in patients with cervical pain. Future studies should investigate potential changes in grip force control in patients with different features of neck pain and/or by applying long-term treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.
OBJECTIVES: Individuals with neck pain experience disrupted grip force control when performing manipulative tasks. Manipulative physical therapy might decrease pain and change the activity of surrounding muscles; however, its effect on upper limb motor control remains undetermined. This study aims to analyze the effects of cervical manipulation on pressure pain threshold (PPT), upper extremity muscle activity along with grip force control in individuals with neck pain. METHODS: Thirty subjects with neck pain were instructed to grasp and lift an object before and after cervical (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) manipulation. The patients' PPT, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the upper extremity/scapular muscles, and grip force control were analyzed before and after one session of manipulation. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the grip force control, PPT and EMG activity variables between groups. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that a single session of cervical manipulation may not modify upper limb motor control, more specifically grip force control and EMG activity, in patients with cervical pain. Future studies should investigate potential changes in grip force control in patients with different features of neck pain and/or by applying long-term treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.
Entities:
Keywords:
EMG; Grasping; grip force control; lifting; neck pain; thrust
Authors: John D Childs; Joshua A Cleland; James M Elliott; Deydre S Teyhen; Robert S Wainner; Julie M Whitman; Bernard J Sopky; Joseph J Godges; Timothy W Flynn Journal: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther Date: 2008-09-01 Impact factor: 4.751