Effects of Thoracic Spine Mobilization on Vitals and Blood Oxygen Level in Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of thoracic spine mobilization on heart rate,respiratory rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation.
Study Design: It was a quasi experiment study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center,Pakistan Railway Hospital Rawalpindi. The duration of study was 04 months from July 01 to October 30, 2015.
Materials and Methods: Ninety six healthy adult individuals were selected for the study by convenient sampling technique. The inclusive criteria of healthy individuals aged 20‐60 years with normal vitals; Blood Pressure: 90/60 mmHg Diastolic, 140/100 mmHg Systolic, Breathing: 12‐25 breaths per minute, Pulse: 60 ‐120 beats per minute and Temperature: 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.Subjects with spinal injury or deformity were not included in the study. Pre and post values of heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure blood oxygen saturation after thoracic spine mobilization were obtained.The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS version 21.
Results: Mean age of the study population was 27.9+4.7, male to female ratio was 1:1. Majority of the studyr participants (45%) had normal BMI. Thoracic spine mobilization caused significant change in oxygen saturation.The Heart Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) had no significant association with the age, gender or the BMI of study participants. However blood oxygen saturation showed a statistically significant association with above mentioned variables.
Conclusion: It is concluded that mobilization on thoracic spine (T1‐T4) causes a sudden elevation in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and no major change in blood oxygen saturation.