The long spine board does not reduce lateral motion during transport--a randomized healthy volunteer crossover trial.

Objective: For thirty years, emergency medical services agencies have emphasized limiting spinal motion during transport of the trauma patient to the emergency department. The long spine board (LSB) has been the mainstay of spinal motion restriction practices, despite the paucity of data to support its use. The purpose of this study was to determine reduction in lateral motion afforded by the LSB in comparison to the stretcher mattress alone.