Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)
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Item The physical and psychosocial effects of migraines on female adults and their experience of chiropractic treatment in pain management(2022-09-29) Pirthiraj, Ashalya; Bhagwan, RaisuyahThe purpose of this study was to explore the physical and psychosocial effects of migraines on female adults and their experience of chiropractic treatment in the management of pain. The objectives of this study were to explore the physical symptoms with which female patients with migraines presented, to understand how migraines affected female adults psychologically and socially, to understand how chiropractic treatment enabled their management of migraines, and to explore which other complementary and alternative treatments were used by patients for their migraines. This study used a qualitative descriptive design which explored the experiences of female chiropractic patients, between the ages of 18-65 who presented to chiropractic practices for migraine treatment in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. Purposive, convenience and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants for this study. The data was collected through 12 semi-structured interviews and subsequently analysed using thematic analysis. From the study, six main themes emerged. Theme one focused on the physical effects of migraines. The sub-themes that emerged were the symptoms of migraines, and the impact on physical functioning and daily life. Theme two related to the psychological and cognitive effects experienced by the participants. The sub-themes that emerged were depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and withdrawal, fear-avoidance behaviour and lifestyle changes, and acceptance of migraines. Theme three focused on the effects migraines had on relationships. The subthemes that emerged were the impact on family and social networks, which included both strained and supportive relationships, and the impact on work life. Theme four explored the factors that contributed to migraines. The sub-themes that emerged were hormonal factors, oral contraceptives, dietary factors, weatherrelated factors and lighting, musculoskeletal factors, and sleep deprivation. Theme five focused on chiropractic treatment for migraines. The sub-themes that emerged were the experiences of chiropractic treatment for migraine pain management, and perceptions of chiropractic treatment approaches to migraine management. Theme six discussed the self-management of migraines. The sub-themes that emerged were resistance to medication, factors that alleviated migraines and alternative therapies. This is one of the first qualitative studies in South Africa to highlight the severe burden of this disease and the psychosocial impact of migraines on female chiropractic patients. Chiropractic treatment improved the quality of life, and reduced the duration, severity and frequency of migraines, and the need for pharmacological therapy. All participants had favourable experiences with chiropractors for migraine management, with some patients expressing that chiropractic treatment was the only effective treatment for their migraines. This was despite their experience with different alternative therapies. Furthermore, alternative and holistic therapies were sought wherever possible as an alternative to pharmacological therapy. This study builds on the body of knowledge for migraine management and supports the use of chiropractic treatment for migraine management. Future studies should include more qualitative research studies on the psychosocial impact of migraines amongst the female population. The impact of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause on migraines should be further investigated in other qualitative studies. A more detailed study should be undertaken to ascertain the impact and efficacy of chiropractic treatment for migraines.Item The effect of migraine-type headaches on quality of life in an adolescent population in the Westville ward of the Pinetown School District(2022-05-13) Wurzel, Amy Jane; Varatharajullu, DesireeBACKGROUND Migraine-type headaches (MTHs) are the most common disabling disorder in children and adolescents, affecting approximately 10% of children and adolescents. Migrainetype headaches are common in children over the age of 14 years and the incidence peaks between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Migraine-type headaches affect many aspects of an adolescent’s life often leading to comorbid psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. The headaches also affect productivity and cause an increase in school absenteeism. AIM The aim of this study was to explore the effect of migraine-type headaches on the quality of life in an adolescent population in the Westville ward of the Pinetown School District. METHODOLOGY Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a qualitative descriptive approach. Probing questions supplemented the main questions being asked. The interviews relied on the participants’ own perspective to provide insight into the effects of migraine-type headaches. Adolescents who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study were interviewed. A minimum of 10 participants were required for this study. Data were collected until data saturation was obtained and, therefore, the total number of research participants who participated in the study was 14. The data were audio recorded and thereafter transcribed verbatim. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data using the Tesch method. RESULTS The participants explained that their migraine-type headaches affected their education, homework, concentration and/or chores. Some participants mentioned that they had to miss social events or cancel plans with friends, while others mentioned that it has affected their relationships with family and friends. Many participants mentioned that their MTHs affected them emotionally in some way and resulted in anger, frustration and/or worry. Most of the participants explained that their MTHs affected their extra-curricular activities, hobbies and general movement. CONCLUSION Migraine-type headaches have a negative effect on the quality of life in the adolescent population. This is consistent with similar studies done on migraine-type headaches in adolescent populations.Item An assessment of two chiropractic management programmes with respect to frequency of treatment of migraine headaches(1995) Whittle, Mark Spencer; Penter, C. S.The purpose of this investigation was to determine the most beneficial chiropractic management programme with respect to frequency of treatments for migraine headaches. It was hypothesised that an intensive treatment programme would be most effective. Thirty four (34) patients were accepted into this single blind, randomised trial, however only thirty (30) patients were compliant. Only patients diagnosed with migraine were accepted. The sample group was drawn from a population of migraine sufferers from t.,hegreater Durban area, and they were randomly divided into the two treatment groups. Both treatment groups received chiropractic adjustments to fixations found in the cervical and thoracic spines, as well as soft tissue massage to the above-mentioned areas. The only difference was the treatment periods, where the intensive treatment group was treated nine times in three weeks and the conservative treatment group was treated nine times in nine weeks. Both groups were re-evaluated after a six week followup period. Only subjective measurements were taken, all tabulated weekly I by each patient in the headache diaries provided.l6