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Theses and dissertations (Health Sciences)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Neck pain

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    The epidemiology of work-related neck pain in diagnostic radiographers working in the eThekwini Municipality
    (2023-05-31) Devnarain, Akshoy; Abdul-Rasheed, Ashura
    Diagnostic radiography is a branch of radiography that is primarily involved with the diagnosis of disease through diagnostic imaging. Additionally, diagnostic radiographers are predisposed to work-related risk factors due to the work that they perform daily and, as result, they are at risk of developing work-related neck pain (WRNP). Investigating the prevalence and work-related risk factors associated among diagnostic radiographers will create awareness amongst diagnostic radiographers and healthcare providers. Furthermore, in a South African context, this will add updated knowledge to the current literature that exists. AIM The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiology of work-related neck pain in diagnostic radiographers working within the eThekwini municipality. METHODOLOGY The study used a quantitative approach and a descriptive cross sectional survey design. A total 130 participants were recruited for this study. The population sample included qualified diagnostic radiographers who were employed within the eThekwini municipality in the public and private sectors. The questionnaire was distributed and answered either via Hardcopies or QUESTIOPRO® link. All the data were then imported into SPSS version 26 for analysis RESULTS A total of 61 participants had reported WRNP and hence the prevalence rate was 65.6%. The study also reported that females are more likely to have WRNP. Furthermore, the selected risk factors showed that more than 50% of radiographers with WRNP had worked over-time shifts, 75.4% of radiographers experienced neck pain from wearing lead protective gear, 78.7% of radiographers from the study had neck pain from lifting and positioning heavy equipment and machinery, and 47.5% of the participants who had WRNP had a history of a previously diagnosed neck condition. Additionally, 59% of participants had taken leave from work because of WRNP. CONCLUSION This study revealed a high WRNP prevalence rate among diagnostic radiographers working within the eThekwini municipality. The results found in this study shared similar findings from various local and international studies. Due to the high prevalence of WRNP, it is highly recommended that management protocols at work should be investigated to aid diagnostic radiographers.
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    The effect of spinal manipulative therapy and ischaemic compression versus muscle energy technique in chronic nonspecific neck pain
    (2022-05-13) Dicks, Tyron D.; Varatharajullu, Desiree; Abdul-Rasheed, Ashura
    Neck pain has become a problem experienced worldwide and it poses a global healthcare challenge to practising medical professions. There are numerous manual and non-manual treatments available for this frequently encountered problem. Frequently utilised and effective therapies are spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and ischaemic compression (IC); however, these have been associated with several contraindications. An alternative form of treatment with less contraindications that may be of benefit to the patient is muscle energy technique (MET). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of spinal manipulative therapy and ischaemic compression compared to muscle energy technique in chronic nonspecific neck pain. Methodology: This study was a quantitative randomised, single blinded clinical trial. Forty participants with nonspecific pain, aged 20-50 years, were randomly allocated into two groups using a random allocation chart provided by a statistician. Group one received SMT and IC, whereas group two received MET alone. The numerical pain rating scale (NRS) was used to determine the level of neck pain. The cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer was used to calculate the degree of lateral flexion occurring at the neck. The pain pressure algometer was used to determine the pain pressure thresholds (PPT). The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess the disability in activities of daily living as a consequence of neck pain. Each participant had four consultations over a two-week period, receiving treatment on the first three consultations with the fourth being purely subjective and objective measurements. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA testing was utilised to examine the changes over time in each group. Profile plots were used to visually explore the trends of each group over time. Intra-group analysis of subjective and objective measurements revealed that both groups had a beneficial response to the treatment over time. Inter-group analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of subjective and objective measurements. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed that the use of MET is as equally effective as a combination of SMT and IC in the treatment of chronic nonspecific neck pain
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    The epidemiology of neck pain within the indigenous African population in Harare, Zimbabwe
    (2019) Blumears, Aimee Ann; Haffejee, Firoza; Makowe, Alistair
    Background Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability and can impair the quality of life. Of these musculoskeletal disorders, neck pain is one of the most common. Some of the risk factors for neck pain among the African population include low level of education, high-stress levels, low income and motor vehicle accidents. In the international arena, a broad range of risk factors contribute to chronic neck pain. These include female gender, increasing age, poor posture and work habits, twisting and bending of the neck and trunk, low–co-worker support, low socio-economic status and psychosocial factors such as stress and depression. Neck pain presents differently in different populations. The epidemiology of neck pain has not been investigated in Zimbabwe. In this country factors such as economic instability, disruption of social trust, uncertainty about income, high crime rate, unstable healthcare and low morale in the working population have led to the development of psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, there has also recently been an increase of vehicle use in Zimbabwe, with concomitant motor vehicle accidents. All of these factors may predispose this population to musculoskeletal pain such as neck pain. However, this requires investigation. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, risk factors and impact of neck pain in the indigenous African population in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methodology This was a quantitative cross-sectional study based on a previously validated questionnaire sourced from Smith (2016) and conducted in Harare, Zimbabwe. Participants (n = 461) answered a self-administered questionnaire after providing informed consent. The data collected from the questionnaires were captured into an excel spreadsheet and subsequently statistically analysed using SPSS. Standard deviation and mean reports are represented by (mean ± SD) within the text. Where standard deviation is represented by (SD). Tables, graphs and charts were used to present the data. The Inferential analysis was conducted using cross tabulations (interpreted using the Pearson chi- Squared test). The bivariate analysis was done using a Chi-Squared test (Interpreted using the Pearson`s chi-squared test). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using binary logistic regression, This calculation was used to find dependant variables on an existent independent variable (Willemse 2009: 121). The 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for Odds Ratios and for prevalence (Johnson and Bhattacharyya 2000: 331). A significance of a p- value less than 0.05 was used throughout. Results A total of 461 questionnaires were completed by participants in Harare, Zimbabwe. The point prevalence and 12-month prevalence was 16.4% (95% CI: 0.13 – 0.20) and 26.9% (95% CI: 0.22 – 0.31) respectively. The lifetime prevalence of neck pain was 49% (95% CI: 0.44 – 0.53). Within this population, age was significantly associated with neck pain (p < 0.001) with a larger prevalence within the age group 20 – 35 years. The odds of self-reported neck pain are 2.5 times greater for those with the exposure of self-reported stress compared to the participants without the exposure of self-reported stress (Odds Ratio = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.121 – 5.734; p = 0.025). Lack of finances (22.6%, n =104), work (18%, n =83) and poor living conditions (5.6%, n =26) were the main stressors identified among the participants. Other associations found for neck pain in this population were motor vehicle accidents (p < 0.001) and poor eyesight (p < 0.001). There was an association of neck pain with headaches (p = 0.023), shoulder pain (p < 0.001) and low back pain (p < 0.001). Conclusion Neck pain was prevalent within the indigenous population of Harare, Zimbabwe. Factors that were associated with neck pain in the sample population included stress, age, headaches, shoulder pain, low back pain, motor vehicle accidents, and poor eyesight.
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    The prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in first year Faculty of Health Science students at the Durban University of Technology
    (2018) Gevers, Giselle Lara; Maharaj, Praveena; Puckree, Threethambal
    INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is considered to be one of the most disabling conditions, with a universal prevalence among youth, adult and elderly populations. However, despite its disabling nature and its high prevalence there is still much uncertainty surrounding the aetiology of the pain and the extent to which the condition is influenced by the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of an individual. While there is growing evidence to support the notion that marked bio-psychosocial associations exist with neck pain, this literature is heavily weighted toward an adult and a developed nation context leaving developing nations and the student population largely under-researched in comparison. Moreover, while a high prevalence of neck pain and its associated risk factors exist in the student population among health sciences and non-health sciences programmes, across many levels of study, the literature is ambivalent about which faculty and level of study is more at risk, if any. The first year of university stands out among the rest in that the students undergo a significant transition and are required to adapt to a new environment and style of learning compared to what they have been used to. Furthermore, students have been observed to exit first year with higher levels of distress than were present in the beginning of the year, suggesting that this unique environment may influence the psychosocial well-being of students. The extent and strength of this relationship is yet to be determined in a South African tertiary educational context and this is even more true of the first year student population at the Durban University of Technology. Research on the unique bio-psychosocial factors of these students would provide a more holistic understanding of the extent to which these factors exist and the role they play in the general well-being of the students and in the development of neck pain. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed, firstly, to determine the prevalence and psychosocial risk factors of neck pain in registered first year Faculty of Health Sciences students at the Durban University of Technology and, secondly, to determine the association between neck pain presentation, demographic characteristics, socio-demographic and psychosocial risk factors. The outcomes of this study could possibly have a threefold benefit (for the student, the institution, and the chiropractic profession at large). RESEARCH DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this research. This design was chosen as it was believed to be the best suited to achieving the aims and objectives of the study. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Neck pain questionnaires were administered to the first year Faculty of Health Sciences students at the Durban University of Technology towards the end of the academic year in order to determine the prevalence of neck pain and its associated demographic, socio-demographic, and psychosocial risk factors. There was a final sample size of 135 participants achieving a response rate of 54.7% for the study. Data was captured by the researcher and sent to a statistician for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A high prevalence of neck pain was found among the students (72%) with symptoms of depression (59.8%), anxiety (68.1%), and stress (53.6%) also being highly prevalent among this group. However, when neck pain was quantified by its characteristics the related impact was comparatively low. There was a common theme observed in the results highlighting the association between stress and neck pain, with stress furthermore being determined as an independent risk factor for neck pain (p = 0.023) with an odds ratio of 1.1. This result was not surprising, however, considering the stressors which emerged in the results highlighting factors such as transport protests, student protests, upcoming tests and financial aid as stress causing factors among the participants. The results provided valuable insight which enabled recommendations to be made about the direction of future research as well as recommendations for the Institution and the Chiropractic profession in the approach and management of students enrolled in tertiary education and with neck pain.
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    An investigation into the efficacy of a first rib manipulation in individuals experiencing mechanical neck pain : a pilot study
    (2004) Douglas, Bruce Sholto; White, Horace Lindsay
    Mechanical neck pain is defined as a restriction of movement of the neck, which frequently refers pain to the occiput, shoulders, nuchal muscles, interscapular region and anterior chest wall, and is usually due to a history of trauma or awkward posture of the cervical spine
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    The value of therapeutic exercise in the management of chronic mechanical cervical spine conditions
    (1997) Fourie, Theo Manie; Brantingham, James W.
    The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation alone to the use of chiropractic manipulation together with therapeutic exercise in the management of chronic mechanical cervical spine conditions. Measurements in terms of objective and subjective clinical findings, were to be used to substantiate or refute the use of auxiliary therapeutic exercise in these conditions. It was hypothesised that therapeutic exercise would be a valuable adjunct to the chiropractic management of chronic mechanical cervical spine conditions in terms of objective (flexibility) and subjective (pain and disability) clinical findings. Thirty consecutive subjects suffering from chronic neck pain were obtained from local advertising (radio and newspapers) and randomly placed into two groups for comparison. The 0. age group of subjects accepted ranged from 16 to 60 and included both sexes from any race, who had suffered from neck pain for six weeks or longer. Subjects were assessed to determine whether there were any contra-indications to manipulation or exercise. Treatment commenced for a month with both groups receiving spinal manipulative therapy and one group doing daily therapeutic exercises. The eROM goniometer, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Rating Scale - 101 Questionnaire and the CMee Neck Disability Index were
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    The efficacy of muscle energy technique in the treatment of chronic mechanical neck pain
    (2002) Boodhoo, Vilash; Kretzmann, Heidi
    The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of muscle energy technique in the treatment of chronic mechanical neck pain. This was a randomized placebo controlled study. Two groups of thirty subjects from Durban and the surrounding areas were selected to participate in the study, which was carried out at the Technikon Natal Chiropractic Day Clinic. Subjects were diagnosed with the condition by the researcher. Each subject received six treatments within a period of three weeks. Group A received muscle energy technique and de-tuned laser therapy applied to joint fixations. Group B received de-tuned laser therapy applied to the fixated areas. Subjective assessment was by means of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-101. Objective assessment was by means of the digital algometer (The Commander\x99 Algometer by Jtech Medical Industries) and the Cervical Range of Motion Device. Both the subjective and objective readings were taken prior to the first treatment and a day following the final (sixth) treatment.
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    The relative efficacy of two varied chiropractic manipulative techniques in the treatment of mechanical upper thoracic and neck pain
    (1997) Ritchie, Bruce Andrew; Mathews, Robert
    The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the spinous push versus the transverse process contact rotary type adjustments in the treatment of sub-acute and chronic mechanical upper thoracic and neck pain. It was hypothesized that both adjustments, over a maximum of nine treatments with two treatments per week and a further four week follow-up period, would be effective in terms of improving the patients' cervical ranges of motion, vertebral pressure pain threshold levels and their perceptions of pain and disability. The study design was a randomized, un-blinded, un-controlled comparative group study with a sample population consisting of thirty consecutive patients (Ave. age 35.4 years; M:F 16: 14) suffering from joint dysfunction of the cervical or upper thoracic spine. Each group received one adjustment two times a week for a maximum of nine treatments. Soft tissue therapy was employed in each treatment as a pre-adjustment procedure. The objective data collected was goniometrically assessed cervical range of motion and algometrically assessed vertebral pressure pain thresholds. The subjective data was collected by means of the CMCC Neck Disability, the Short Form McGill Pain and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-l0 1 Questionnaires.
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    Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitative stretching combined with administration of Diclofenac compared to proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitative stretching and placebo medication for the treatment of cervical facet syndrome
    (2001) Upneck, Heidi Sian; Myburgh, Cornelius
    The purpose of this study was to test the Effectiveness of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative Stretching combined with administration of Diclofenac compared to Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative Stretching and placebo medication for the treatment of Cervical Facet Syndrome in a clinical experimental setting. Neck pain is a common disorder, which can often be attributed to mechanical dysfunction of the cervical spine. The patient with facet syndrome may complain of sudden onset of unilateral neck pain, often with referred pain. Muscle spasm is usually present causing restricted movement. Pain increases with movement and is relieved by rest. The pain is aggravated by hyperextension and relieved by flexion and often follows a sclerotomal rather than a dermatomal pattern. Forty subjects with mechanical neck pain were screened for facet syndrome and randomly divided into two groups of twenty. Each patient received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitative (PNF) stretching of the Posterior Cervical and Trapezius musculature. In conjunction with this, half the patients received Cataflam D while the other half received placebo medication. The patients were treated five times over a period of two weeks. Both groups were evaluated in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings by making use of questionnaires (Numerical Pain Rating Scale 101, Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the CMCC) and algometer and goniometer measurements respectively. The data was collected at the initial, middle and final treatments for each patient.
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    The efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy in the treatment of mechanical neck pain
    (1996) Parkin-Smith, Gregory Frederick; Penter, C. S.
    There have been few substantiated studies done to investigate the efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy for cervical syndromes [Vernon et.al. (1990: 13), Sloop et.al. (1982: 532) and Cassidy 1\ et. al. (1992: 495)]. Therefore, more conclusive evidence is needed to verify the success of manipulation, especially in terms of chiropractic treatment methods. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate cervical spine manipulation and combined cervical and thoracic spine manipulation, according to subjective and objective clinical findings, in order to determine the efficacy of each approach in the management of mechanical neck pain. It was hypothesized that cervical spine manipulation, and combined cervical and thoracic spine manipulation would both be effective in the treatment of mechanical neck pain. However, it was proposed that combined cervical and thoracic spine manipulation would be more effective than just cervical spine manipulation, in terms of subjective and objective clinical findings. This study consisted of a controlled trial of a sample population diagnosed with joint dysfunction (cervical and thoracic facet syndrome) . Thirty subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the experimental group. The control group was treated with cervical adjustments only and the experimental group received combined cervical and thoracic adjusfments.