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Increased multiaxial lumbar motion responses during multiple-impulse mechanical force manually assisted spinal
Tony S Keller1, Christopher J Colloca, Robert J Moore
1Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA. keller@cems.uvm.edu
Chiropractic & Osteopathy
|April 7, 2006
Summary
Multiple spinal manipulative thrusts (SMTs) significantly increase multi-axial spinal motion compared to single thrusts. This study investigated ovine lumbar vertebrae responses to single and multiple impulse SMTs, finding increased accelerations with repeated impulses.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical research
- Spinal biomechanics
- Chiropractic research
Background:
- Spinal manipulation generates segmental and intersegmental spinal motions.
- Previous studies compared single instrument thrusts, but not multiple impulse trains.
- The biomechanical mechanisms of spinal manipulative instruments require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine multi-axial segmental and intersegmental motion responses of ovine lumbar vertebrae.
- To compare responses to single impulse and multiple impulse spinal manipulative thrusts (SMTs).
Main Methods:
- Fifteen adolescent Merino sheep were used.
- Tri-axial accelerometers measured L1 and L2 lumbar spinous process responses to single and repeated SMTs (13 total) using an electromechanical adjusting instrument.
- Axial (AX), posteroanterior (PA), and medial-lateral (ML) accelerations were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Segmental and intersegmental acceleration responses correlated with instrument force magnitude.
- Multiple SMT impulses produced significantly greater AX, PA, and ML segmental and intersegmental accelerations (3%-25%) compared to initial impulses.
- Motion responses were greatest at the low force setting and maximized following several multiple SMT impulses.
Conclusions:
- Instrument-based spinal manipulation provides biomechanical data supporting clinical applications.
- Multiple impulse SMTs significantly enhance multi-axial spinal motion compared to single impulses.
- Understanding these biomechanical responses is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy.