File
Vaes P.1, Verbruggen M.2
1Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Brussels, Belgium, 2Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Background: There is only limited research available about the influence of manual therapy occipital release (OR) on health related parameters. Although the technique is regularly applied as a part of a passive manual therapy strategy little is known about the unique effects of OR on for example Cervical Range Of Motion (CROM), motor control of the neck head and head position control, in persons without neck/head complaints and in neck pain and headache patients.
Purpose: The research question of this trial was: does occipital release influences neck mobility, head relocation accuracy and head position in people without neck pain or headache?
Methods: Each individual was treated twice, once using the experimental intervention procedure and once using the placebo treatment. Allocation to the experimental or placebo treatment was randomised. The second intervention always was the other treatment. In the intervention group the occipital release of C0-C2 was applied during three minutes. The control group received a placebo treatment of only light touch. Before and after the treatment two tests were carried out, the flexion-rotation test (FRT) and the cervicocephal relocation test (CRT). Before and after the interventions the cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) was measured.
Results: A total of 16 individuals (mean age 31,25y, range 21-51y), 5 men and 11 women were recruited, treated and measured. No significant differences were found comparing FRT, CRT and CVA for the total sample, not between pre- and postmeasurements nor between the OR and the placebo treatment. Age was shown to be a significant predictor for CRT and CVA. During de cervicocephal relocation test (CRT) to the right and to the left significantly less changes were measured in the older age group (n=7, 31-55y, mean age 40,71) compared to the neutral position (p= 0,027 en p=0,096). In the older age group a significant smaller cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) was found (p=0,003).
Conclusion(s): In this sample and using these outcome measures occipital release does not seem to produce changes in high cervical mobility head relocation accuracy or craniovertebral angle in the total sample of individuals without neck pain or headache. Age is possibly a significant predictor for the results of the CRT and the CVA.
Implications: Outcome measure reliability and validity have to be studied further to be able to objectivate objective impact of occipital release explaining positive effects on complaints of patiënts with neck pain.
Funding acknowledgements: The Vrije Universiteit Brussels funded this research
Topic: Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval: Universitair Medisch Ethisch Commitee Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels-BELGIUM
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
