PTRCTJournal of physical therapy science2021

Immediate effects of neuromuscular joint facilitation treatment on vertebral artery blood flow.

Ming Huo, Liquan Yin, Desheng Li and 3 others

PMID 34873376

WHAT IT FOUND

In 16 healthy adults, neuromuscular joint facilitation neck resistance exercises immediately increased right vertebral artery systolic and average blood flow velocity.

Blood pressure and heart rate did not change, and no patients with dizziness were tested.

Key findings

01In 16 healthy adults, NJF neck resistance exercises increased right vertebral artery systolic and average blood flow velocity after the intervention, while 5 minutes of resting sitting did not.

02Right vertebral artery systolic velocity was 61.0 ± 15.1 cm/s before and 66.3 ± 15.1 cm/s after NJF, and average velocity was 34.1 ± 8.2 cm/s before and 36.3 ± 8.3 cm/s after.

03Blood pressure and heart rate did not change before and after intervention in either group.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs

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What it does not show

The study included 16 healthy adults, not patients with cervical dizziness. The authors state that clinical significance in patients with cervical dizziness needs future study. Only immediate effects were examined; long-term effects were not studied. The main outcomes were ultrasound blood flow measures, not patient-reported dizziness symptoms.

Declared interests

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

The easy way to misread this

Do not read the increased right vertebral artery velocity as proof that NJF treats cervical dizziness. The study was in 16 healthy adults and measured immediate ultrasound blood flow, not symptoms.

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