Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Erin E. Simunds

Keywords

Cervical Vertebrae; Spine

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to develop normal values for cervical active range of motion and to determine whether age and gender affect cervical active motions. Sixty-one independent elderly individuals (36 females and 25 males), whose ages ranged from 60 to 90 years, voluntarily participated in this investigation. Six cervical active motions: flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation, were taken by one physical therapist with the CROM device. Generally, between age groups, mean AROM values indicated losses in all cervical motions, with the exception of flexion. Among male and female subjects, extension, left lateral flexion, and left rotation decreased significantly with age. Insignificant gender differences in active cervical motion were detected. Physical therapists are urged to avoid using singular values for cervical AROM since significant changes in cervical motion are associated with age.

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