The effects of connective tissue manipulation on balance and proprioception among healthy individuals

Connective Tissue Manipulation (CTM) is a type of manual therapy used in different problems. Despite the well-known effects of CTM, its effects on proprioception and balance have not been investigated as far as, we know. The aim of the study to investigate the effects of CTM on balance and proprioception among healthy individuals. 40 volunteers studying in Bahcesehir University were divided into exercise and study (CTM with exercise) groups equally. Biodex Balance System was used for evaluation of static and dynamic balance. The cervical proprioception was measured by using a cervical range of motion (CROM) device while lumbar proprioception was measured by StabilizerTM Pressure Biofeedback Unit. Additionally, at the beginnig and end of the study, heart rate and blood pressure were measured by M3 Comfort Digital blood Pressure Monitor. Both study and exercise groups were instructed to perform home exercises for 2 sessions in a week for 6 weeks (12 sessions in total). Additionally, CTM was applied to the volunteers in study group for 6 weeks, 2 sessions in a week. At the end of the study, a significant difference between heart rate or blood pressure measurements of the groups cannot be found. On the other hand, a significant difference between groups were found in cervical flexion with (p≤0,01) and without (p≤0,05) vision and lumbar proprioception with and without vision (p≤0,01). Since the "overall" scores are more reliable than the "anteroposterior" and "mediolateral" scores of the Biodex Balance System, intergroup comparison of the groups were interpreted according to the overall scores. Improvement in static and dynamic balance on right foot (p≤0,01), bilateral dynamic balance (p≤0,05), and static balance on left foot (p≤0,01) were found significant between the groups. On the other hand, when all scores (overall, anteroposterior, mediolateral) were examined, pre-and-post measurements of both dynamic and static balance were found significant (p≤0,05) in study, while exercise group showed a significant improvement mostly in dynamic balance scores. Considering all of these, we believe that the application of CTM with exercise improves proprioception and balance, especially static balance, in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to be done with larger groups and addition of a control group to the study will increase the strength of the study. Key words: Connective tissue massage, Connective Tissue Manipulation, Postural Balance, Proprioception