The Influence of Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervical Spine in the Prevention of Balance Disorders in the Elderly

The Influence of Manual Therapy Applied to the Cervical Spine (Versus Light Touch) in the Prevention of Balance Disorders in the Elderly: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Falling is a major trauma that can occur with aging, leading to very significant psychological and physical health effects with financial and societal consequences. It is therefore essential to explore therapeutic treatments that can reduce this risk. Some recognized effective treatments exist, concerning in particular the re-education of the muscles of the lower limbs. However, to our knowledge, none of them focus on the cervical spine although the latter is located at an essential physiological crossroads. Manual therapy, which has already demonstrated its impact on pain and balance parameters in the elderly, could be a painless and non-invasive tool of choice in addressing this problem.

The main hypothesis of the present study is therefore that manual therapy applied to the cervical spine may have a beneficial impact on the balance and motor performance of seniors. The study also aims to propose an assessment of the physical parameters of balance, in order to validate the contribution of the cervical spine in compensatory mechanisms.

To do so, an interventional study was designed, monocentric, prospective, controlled, randomized double-blind (patient and evaluator performing the measurements). The experiment will take place over three measurement periods on D0, D7 and D21.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65 years of age or older, of either sex
• Autonomous, able to walk ten meters alone without walking aid
• Able to understand instructions necessary for the correct performance of the measurements.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients suffering from a locomotor handicap or severe chronic progressive pathologies preventing the protocol from being carried out correctly
• Patient who has an history of surgery - fracture - dislocation of the cervical spine
• Patient who has cognitive impairments (Mini Mental Statement <20)
• Patient who has life expectancy less than 6 months.