Próf á stjórn augnhreyfinga (oculomotor control) hjá fólki með stoðkerfisvandamál í hálsi

Abstract

Patients with upper cervical spine dysfunction can have various symptoms apart from pain, such as dizziness, increased or decreased cervical range of motion, altered muscle recruitment patterns, impaired motor control of the neck, as well as proprioception, kinesthetic sense and oculomotor control. This variety of symptoms is not surprising considering the great amount of nerve connections between the upper cervical spine and various parts of the brain, the visual system, the vestibular system and the proprioceptive system of the whole body, which play a big role in postural control. Afferent nerve signals from the upper cervical spine are important for oculomotor control. In this article 3 tests for this control are described; Smooth Pursuit Neck Torsion (SPNT), Gaze Stability and Eye – head coordination. The author learned these tests in her Masters course in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland in Australia. The movements in the tests can be used in treating upper cervical spine patients who score positively on these tests.