The impact of subclinical neck pain and its treatment on cerebellar processing as measured by the cervico-ocular and vestibulo-ocular reflexes

Abstract

Alterations in cerebellar processing, associated with subclinical neck pain (SCNP), have been demonstrated to improve following spinal manipulation. These alterations and improvements have only been demonstrated utilizing indirect measures of the cerebellum. The cervico-ocular and vestibulo-ocular reflexes (COR & VOR) are two measures that may be utilized to directly assess changes within the cerebellum. Utilizing two eye-tracking protocols this thesis aimed examine differences in COR gain and VOR gain adaptation in a SCNP population prior to, and following, an 8-week chiropractic intervention. SCNP was demonstrated to alter COR gain but have a limited impact upon the VOR. These alterations within the COR gain were also observed to normalized following the chiropractic intervention. This may reflect that those with SCNP may have alterations in their proprioceptive input towards the cerebellum that may be normalized following spinal manipulation. However, SCNP may have a minimal impact on vestibular input towards the cerebellum.