Spontaneous joint cavitation and frequency of adjustments: a correlational study
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Authors
Goldstone, Theresa
Issue Date
1998-05-01
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Adjustment , Cavitation , Chiropractic , Hypermobility , Manipulation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine if there is an association between spontaneous joint cavitation during normal movement and frequency of adjustments or length of time in a chiropractic program among chiropractic students. Basic procedures: The study subjects were chiropractic students because they receive a great number of adjustments while learning chiropractic technique. The first and second semester was the control group because they are not currently in adjusting classes. The eighth semester is not in adjusting classes currently which provided a way to determine if spontaneous joint cavitation will decrease over time with less adjusting. The method of data collection was a survey questionnaire and one-week diary (see appendix A). The questionnaire asked about semesters attended in chiropractic school, height, weight, sex, and regular exercise. Frequency of present chiropractic care outside of school, frequency of chiropractic care prior to entering school, if the past and present care included manual manipulation, congenital anomalies, significant trauma, chronic conditions, connective tissue disease, and pain according to region and frequency was determined. The oneweek diary tallied the number of joint cavitations by spinal adjustment, by selfadjustment, and during normal movement. The statistical analysis used was Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs). Main findings: No correlation was found between length of time in school, gender, trauma, amount of cavitations from manipulation, amount of self adjustments, and spontaneous joint cavitations. A significant correlation was found between frequent regional pain and spontaneous joint cavitations in that region; cervical(rs = .379, p< .005) and sacro-iliac (SI) (rs=.240, p<.042). Correlation was found between spontaneous joint cavitations in contiguous regions; cervical and thoracic (rs=.387, p<.002), thoracic and lumbar (rs=. 587, p<.000), and thoracic and SI (rs=.328, p<.008). Principle conclusions: The conclusion is that the null hypothesis was supported. No correlation exists between spontaneous joint cavitation and frequency of adjustments or duration of time in chiropractic school. However, significant correlation was found between spontaneous joint cavitations in the cervical and SI joints and frequent pain in those same areas. This may signify joint dysfunction or damage. It is possible that spontaneous joint cavitation could be a symptom of a damaged or dysfunctional joint.
Description
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Citation
T. Goldstone, "Spontaneous joint cavitation and frequency of adjustments: a correlational study", D.C. dissertation, College of Chiropractic, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 1998.