A
study to identify the effect of cervical spine HVT manipulation on blood
pressure
Marco Giorgetti
Supervisor: Nico Tanguy
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify whether HVT manipulation and soft tissue techniques on restricted area of the cervical spine has a significant influence in reducing blood pressure levels in comparison with only soft tissue treatment.
Twenty
students of the London School of Osteopathy volunteered to participate in
the blood pressure measurement protocol in one 20 mins. osteopathic
treatment limited to the cervical area. These subjects were placed in two
groups based on the clinical findings during osteopathic examination. One
group, the treatment group was formed on the basis that they had cervical
reduced range of motion in any area of the cervical spine due to zygapophyseal
and/or atlanto-occipital joint restrictions. The control group was similar
but the reduced range on movement was only due to increased muscular tone.
Clinical and experimental procedures were carried out identically for each
group but the HVT manipulation was applied (where needed) only for the
treatment group. Blood pressure levels were recorded by left arm cuff
digital sphygmomanometer. The first blood pressure recording was measured
after that each subject was asked to lay supine for 5 mins. and the second
immediately after the treatment.
The
systolic blood pressure levels were statistically not significantly lower in
the Experimental group (difference in mean 0.1mmHg and p>0.05) due to 3
subjects who experienced an increased level of systolic Bp at the end of the
treatment. Instead, the diastolic levels were significantly decreased
(difference in mean 3.7 mmHg and p=0.021406).In
the Control group both systolic and diastolic levels were considerably
decreased (systolic p=0.001237, difference in mean 6.5mmHg and
diastolic p=0.00375 with difference in mean 3.8mmHg).