Effects of head and neck positions on blood flow in the vertebral, internal carotid, and intracranial arteries: a systematic review

Rob Tyer; Maarten Schmitt; Gert Jan Luijckx; Cees van der Schans; Nathan Hutting; Roger Kerry; Rik Kranenburg

doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8578

Effects of head and neck positions on blood flow in the vertebral, internal carotid, and intracranial arteries: a systematic review

Rob Tyer, Maarten Schmitt, Gert Jan Luijckx, Cees van der Schans, Nathan Hutting, Roger Kerry, Rik Kranenburg

Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Manual therapy interventions targeting the neck include various positions and movements of the craniocervical region. The hemodynamic changes in various spinal positions potentially have clinical relevance.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of craniocervical positions and movements on hemodynamic parameters (blood flow velocity and/or volume) of cervical and craniocervical arteries.

METHODS: A search of 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature) and, subsequently, a hand search of reference lists were conducted. Full-text experimental and quasi-experimental studies on the influence of cervical positions on blood flow of the vertebral, internal carotid, and basilar arteries were eligible for this review. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted the data using the double-screening method.

RESULTS: Of the 1453 identified studies, 31 were included and comprised 2254 participants. Most studies mentioned no significant hemodynamic changes during maximal rotation (n = 16). A significant decrease in hemodynamics was identified for the vertebral artery, with a hemodynamic decrease in the position of maximum rotation (n = 8) and combined movement of maximum extension and maximum rotation (n = 4). A similar pattern of decreased hemodynamics was also identified for the internal carotid and intracranial arteries. Three studies focused on high-velocity thrust positioning and movement. None of the studies reported hemodynamic changes. The synthesized data suggest that in the majority of people, most positions and movements of the craniocervical region do not affect blood flow.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review suggest that craniocervical positioning may not alter blood flow as much as previously expected.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(10):688-697. Epub 5 Jul 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8578.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	688-697
Journal	Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy
Volume	49
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2019.8578
Publication status	Published - Oct 2019

Keywords

physiotherapy

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10.2519/jospt.2019.8578Licence: CC BY-ND

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@article{0678c64a9d714842bd413f53807c87b1,

title = "Effects of head and neck positions on blood flow in the vertebral, internal carotid, and intracranial arteries: a systematic review",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Manual therapy interventions targeting the neck include various positions and movements of the craniocervical region. The hemodynamic changes in various spinal positions potentially have clinical relevance.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of craniocervical positions and movements on hemodynamic parameters (blood flow velocity and/or volume) of cervical and craniocervical arteries.METHODS: A search of 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature) and, subsequently, a hand search of reference lists were conducted. Full-text experimental and quasi-experimental studies on the influence of cervical positions on blood flow of the vertebral, internal carotid, and basilar arteries were eligible for this review. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted the data using the double-screening method.RESULTS: Of the 1453 identified studies, 31 were included and comprised 2254 participants. Most studies mentioned no significant hemodynamic changes during maximal rotation (n = 16). A significant decrease in hemodynamics was identified for the vertebral artery, with a hemodynamic decrease in the position of maximum rotation (n = 8) and combined movement of maximum extension and maximum rotation (n = 4). A similar pattern of decreased hemodynamics was also identified for the internal carotid and intracranial arteries. Three studies focused on high-velocity thrust positioning and movement. None of the studies reported hemodynamic changes. The synthesized data suggest that in the majority of people, most positions and movements of the craniocervical region do not affect blood flow.CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review suggest that craniocervical positioning may not alter blood flow as much as previously expected.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(10):688-697. Epub 5 Jul 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8578.",

keywords = "physiotherapy, fysiotherapie",

author = "Rob Tyer and Maarten Schmitt and Luijckx, {Gert Jan} and {van der Schans}, Cees and Nathan Hutting and Roger Kerry and Rik Kranenburg",

year = "2019",

month = oct,

doi = "10.2519/jospt.2019.8578",

language = "English",

volume = "49",

pages = "688--697",

journal = "Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy",

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T1 - Effects of head and neck positions on blood flow in the vertebral, internal carotid, and intracranial arteries

T2 - a systematic review

AU - Tyer, Rob

AU - Schmitt, Maarten

AU - Luijckx, Gert Jan

AU - van der Schans, Cees

AU - Hutting, Nathan

AU - Kerry, Roger

AU - Kranenburg, Rik

PY - 2019/10

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N2 - BACKGROUND: Manual therapy interventions targeting the neck include various positions and movements of the craniocervical region. The hemodynamic changes in various spinal positions potentially have clinical relevance.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of craniocervical positions and movements on hemodynamic parameters (blood flow velocity and/or volume) of cervical and craniocervical arteries.METHODS: A search of 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature) and, subsequently, a hand search of reference lists were conducted. Full-text experimental and quasi-experimental studies on the influence of cervical positions on blood flow of the vertebral, internal carotid, and basilar arteries were eligible for this review. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted the data using the double-screening method.RESULTS: Of the 1453 identified studies, 31 were included and comprised 2254 participants. Most studies mentioned no significant hemodynamic changes during maximal rotation (n = 16). A significant decrease in hemodynamics was identified for the vertebral artery, with a hemodynamic decrease in the position of maximum rotation (n = 8) and combined movement of maximum extension and maximum rotation (n = 4). A similar pattern of decreased hemodynamics was also identified for the internal carotid and intracranial arteries. Three studies focused on high-velocity thrust positioning and movement. None of the studies reported hemodynamic changes. The synthesized data suggest that in the majority of people, most positions and movements of the craniocervical region do not affect blood flow.CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review suggest that craniocervical positioning may not alter blood flow as much as previously expected.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(10):688-697. Epub 5 Jul 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8578.

AB - BACKGROUND: Manual therapy interventions targeting the neck include various positions and movements of the craniocervical region. The hemodynamic changes in various spinal positions potentially have clinical relevance.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of craniocervical positions and movements on hemodynamic parameters (blood flow velocity and/or volume) of cervical and craniocervical arteries.METHODS: A search of 4 databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Index to Chiropractic Literature) and, subsequently, a hand search of reference lists were conducted. Full-text experimental and quasi-experimental studies on the influence of cervical positions on blood flow of the vertebral, internal carotid, and basilar arteries were eligible for this review. Two independent reviewers selected and extracted the data using the double-screening method.RESULTS: Of the 1453 identified studies, 31 were included and comprised 2254 participants. Most studies mentioned no significant hemodynamic changes during maximal rotation (n = 16). A significant decrease in hemodynamics was identified for the vertebral artery, with a hemodynamic decrease in the position of maximum rotation (n = 8) and combined movement of maximum extension and maximum rotation (n = 4). A similar pattern of decreased hemodynamics was also identified for the internal carotid and intracranial arteries. Three studies focused on high-velocity thrust positioning and movement. None of the studies reported hemodynamic changes. The synthesized data suggest that in the majority of people, most positions and movements of the craniocervical region do not affect blood flow.CONCLUSION: The findings of this systematic review suggest that craniocervical positioning may not alter blood flow as much as previously expected.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(10):688-697. Epub 5 Jul 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8578.

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KW - fysiotherapie

U2 - 10.2519/jospt.2019.8578

DO - 10.2519/jospt.2019.8578

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C2 - 31276624

SN - 0190-6011

VL - 49

SP - 688

EP - 697

JO - Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy

JF - Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy

IS - 10

ER -

Effects of head and neck positions on blood flow in the vertebral, internal carotid, and intracranial arteries: a systematic review

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