The clinical efficacy of the Mulligan technique for treating cervical vertigo in an environment containing hyperbaric oxygen

Abstract

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of the Mulligan technique in treating cervical vertigo (CV) in a hyperbaric oxygen (HPO) environment. Methods Sixty-eight CV patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, each of 34. Both groups were given routine treatment with ultrashortwave irradiation, but the observation group was additionally provided with 15 minutes of treatment based on the Mulligan technique in an environment with oxygen at 0.2 MPa, five days a week for two weeks. Both groups were assessed using the cervical vertigo symptoms and functional assessment scale (ESCV) and the daily frequency of vertigo was recorded before the treatment and 2, 4, 7, 14 and 60 days after treatment began. Moreover, the mean blood flow velocity in the patients′ vertebral (VA) and basilar arteries (BA) was detected using transcranial Doppler sonography before the treatment and after two weeks and two months. Results There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements before the intervention. Afterward, however, significant improvement in all of the measurements was observed compared with before the treatment. After two weeks and two months the average ESCV score, daily occurrence of CV and mean VA and BA blood flows in the observation group were all significantly superior to those of the control group at the same time points. Conclusion Treatment based on the Mulligan technique in an environment with 0.2 MPa partial pressure of oxygen is a more effective way to relieve the symptoms of cervical vertigo and reduce the frequency of its occurrence. Such treatment is worthy of application in the clinic. Key words: Cervical vertigo; Mulligan therapy; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy