Evaluation of Immediate Effect of Sacroiliac Joint Manipulation on Balance and Muscle Strength

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of chiropractic high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) sacroiliac manipulation on muscle strength and balance in healthy individuals with asymptomatic dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. METHODS: Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength and balance were measured before and after the application in healthy individuals, using the Biodex Balance System and MicroFet 2 Hand Dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., Shirley, NY, USA). Balance was measured when the patients stood on their feet eyes open, and eyes closed. In total, 60 individuals were included in the study. They were divided into two groups and the experimental group had 40 individuals in total. No application was made to the control group. One-time chiropractic HVLA sacroiliac manipulation was applied to the experimental group. RESULTS: In the control group, the quadriceps muscle strength of the right leg was 58.51 kg in the first measurement and 52.95 kg in the second measurement. The left leg yielded 57.62 kg in the first measurement and 51.06 kg in the second measurement. The Hamstring Muscle Strength of the right leg in the control group was 41.77 kg in the first measurement and 38.28 kg in the second measurement. In the left leg, it was 41.96 kg in the first measurement and 39.36 kg in the second measurement. For balance measurement, there was a significant improvement in balance in the second measurement in both eyes-closed and eyes-open positions. In the experimental group, the Quadriceps Muscle Strength of the right leg was 58.05 kg in the first measurement and 67.43 kg in the second measurement. In the left leg, it was 56.23 kg in the first measurement and 64.97 kg in the second measurement. Hamstring muscle strength increased significantly in both right and left legs after chiropractic HVLA manipulation (P<0.05). In the experimental group, the hamstring muscle strength of the right leg was 34.68 kg in the first measurement and 43.29 kg in the second measurement. In the left leg, it was 35.96 kg in the first measurement and 43.64 kg in the second measurement. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant improvement in balance of both legs in eyes-closed and eyes-open position after chiropractic HVLA manipulation.