PAST ISSUES OF THE JOURNAL OF MANUAL AND MANIPULATIVE THERAPY
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1997 - Vol. 5, No. 1
* this issue only available in Hardcopy format
Towards a Measurement of Paraspinal Soft Tissue Mobility: 0 Development of a Method and Preliminary Results
Dirk GM Everaert, PT Karel H Stappaerts, PhD Mark FM Van Leempatte, PhD Rob AB Oostendorp, PhD
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if the mobility of soft tissues in the paraspinal region is measurable in vivo, and to test the feasibility of obtaining useful data with a newly developed method. A small handheld device was developed to apply and measure oblique forces to the paraspinal tissues, resulting in gliding, which was measured using video analysis. Forces were transmitted to the tissues through disks adhered to the skin. The tissue mobility at the levels T8-9 and LI-2 was measured in four directions (cranial-caudal, and medial-lateral). Soft tissue mobility was measured in 16 subjects and the obtained force-displacement curves were representative for visco-elastic tissues. The range of motion (ROM) at 4 kg load in the 4 directions showed a consistent pattern, with soft tissues gliding most medially (5.64 ± 0.58 cm), followed by cranially (4.30 ± 0.48 cm), laterally (3.50 ± 0.46 cm) and caudally (2.68 ± 0.49 cm), at the thoracic level. The pattern at the lumbar level was similar and consistent for medial (3.95 ± 0.42 cm) and cranial (3.30 ± 0.46 cm) displacement, but variable for lateral (2.17 ± 0.42 cm) and caudal (2.22 ± 0.43 cm) displacement. The soft tissue ROM at the thoracic site was greater than at the lumbar site. Our aim is to establish a normal soft tissue ROM pattern for a larger sample of normal individuals and to compare soft tissue mobility in persons who are experiencing low back pain with the normal pattern.
The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 5 No.1 (1997), 12 - 19
Dysfunction of the Neuro-Muscular System in the Presence of Low Back Pain - Implications for Physical Therapy Management
Peter B. O'Sullivan, Grad Dip Manip Physio Lance Yivomey, PhD Garry T Allison, PhD
Abstract: This paper comprehensively reviews the literature regarding evidence of neuro- muscular dysfunction associated with low back pain (LBP). From this review it is clear that neuro-muscular dysfunction occurs in the presence of LBP, although the manner of the dys-function is variable. LBP is sometimes associated with a loss of strength and often a loss of endurance of the trunk muscles. LBP is commonly associated with varied and complex patterns of neuro-muscular dysfunction both between and within trunk muscle synergies. This results in disrupted patterns of co-contraction and co-ordination between and within trunk synergists and appears to reflect altered patterns of neuro-motor control. There is also evidence that the muscles commonly affected are those whose primary role is to provide segmental control and dynamic stability to the spine. Implications for the treating therapist regarding the management and rehabilitation of patients with LBP are broadly discussed.
The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 5 No. 1 (1997), 20 - 26
Force Reproduction in Submaximal Manual Cervical Traction Applied by Experienced Physical Therapists
Matthew E. Sailors, MEd, PT, ATC Pamela K. Breit, MSPT Amy L. Shattuck, MSPT Michael J. Uttecht, MSPT
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if experienced physical therapists could consistently apply submaximal cervical manual traction force over repeated trials. Subjects were 21 physical therapists with a x age = 35.0 +/-6.7 years; x height = 174.5 +/-8.4 cm; x weight = 74.8 +/-13.9kg. Subjects had a x of 11.1 +/- 7.7 years of experience. A mannequin head was attached via a 0.635 cm steel cable to a tension dynamometer which records the maximum force applied. Each subject applied an initial traction force in the range of 4.5 - 13.5 kg (10-30 lbs). This was held for ten seconds and then the subject relaxed. The dynamometer was reset at zero and the subject attempted to reapply that initial level of traction force. This was repeated for three trials. Data were analyzed with a Pearson product moment correlation (r) followed by a coefficient of determination (rl) for reliability. Results for each of the three trials were r = 0.910 for trial one; 0.952 for trial two; and 0.967 for trial three. These resulted in r2 = 0.828, 0.906, and 0.935, respectively. This indicated excellent reliability. The authors conclude that experienced physical therapists are reliable in applying submaximal manual cervical traction forces over repeated trials. Further research needs to investigate the clinical efficacy of cervical manual traction.
The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 5 No. 1 (1997), 27 - 32
* this issue only available in Hardcopy format
