Novel methods to detect impacts within whole-body vibration time series data.

We present three candidate mathematical models for detecting impacts within time series accelerometer data in the context of whole-body vibration (WBV). In addition to WBV, data included recordings of erector spinae muscle activity and trunk posture collected during use of agricultural machines in a previous study. For each model, we evaluated associations between several mechanical and biomechanical variables at the time of predicted impact onset and the odds of subsequently observing a bilateral response of the erector spinae muscles.

Association of lumbar spine stiffness and flexion-relaxation phenomenon with patient-reported outcomes in adults with chronic low back pain - a single-arm clinical trial investigating the effects of thrust spinal manipulation.

Background: Spinal manipulation (SM) is used commonly for treating low back pain (LBP). Spinal stiffness is routinely assessed by clinicians performing SM. Flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) was shown to distinguish between LBP and healthy populations.

Similar Effects of Thrust and Nonthrust Spinal Manipulation Found in Adults With Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Controlled Trial With Adaptive Allocation.

Study Design: A three-arm controlled trial with adaptive allocation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare short-term effects of a side-lying, thrust spinal manipulation (SM) procedure and a nonthrust, flexion-distraction SM procedure in adults with subacute or chronic low back pain (LBP) over 2 weeks.

Summary Of Background Data: SM has been recommended in recently published clinical guidelines for LBP management.

Effects of spinal manipulation on sensorimotor function in low back pain patients--A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health problem in industrialized societies. Spinal manipulation (SM) is often used for treating LBP, though the therapeutic mechanisms remain elusive. Research suggests that sensorimotor changes may be involved in LBP.

Study protocol for patient response to spinal manipulation - a prospective observational clinical trial on physiological and patient-centered outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major health issue due to its high prevalence rate and socioeconomic cost. While spinal manipulation (SM) is recommended for LBP treatment by recently published clinical guidelines, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. Spinal stiffness is routinely examined and used in clinical decisions for SM delivery.

Paraspinal muscle function assessed with the flexion-relaxation ratio at baseline in a population of patients with back-related leg pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess back muscle status at baseline in patients with back-related leg pain (BRLP) and to correlate those findings with baseline demographic and clinical factors.

Methods: Surface electromyography (EMG) and electromagnetic motion-tracking detected flexion-relaxation response in 135 patients with BRLP. Surface EMG electrodes were attached with standard skin preparation over the right and left paraspinal muscles at L3.

Effect of spinal manipulation on sensorimotor functions in back pain patients: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a recognized public health problem, impacting up to 80% of US adults at some point in their lives. Patients with LBP are utilizing integrative health care such as spinal manipulation (SM). SM is the therapeutic application of a load to specific body tissues or structures and can be divided into two broad categories: SM with a high-velocity low-amplitude load, or an impulse "thrust", (HVLA-SM) and SM with a low-velocity variable-amplitude load (LVVA-SM).

Chiropractic and self-care for back-related leg pain: design of a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Back-related leg pain (BRLP) is a common variation of low back pain (LBP), with lifetime prevalence estimates as high as 40%. Often disabling, BRLP accounts for greater work loss, recurrences, and higher costs than uncomplicated LBP and more often leads to surgery with a lifetime incidence of 10% for those with severe BRLP, compared to 1-2% for those with LBP.In the US, half of those with back-related conditions seek CAM treatments, the most common of which is chiropractic care.

Comparison of posteroanterior spinal stiffness measures to clinical and demographic findings at baseline in patients enrolled in a clinical study of spinal manipulation for low back pain.

Objective: A system for measuring posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness (PAS) was developed for use in clinical trials of manipulation for low back pain (LBP). The current report is an analysis of the baseline PAS data, with particular emphasis on relationships between PAS and clinical and demographic characteristics.

Methods: Posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness measurements were recorded over the spinous processes of the lumbar spines from patients who had LBP.

The reliability of a posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness measuring system in a population of patients with low back pain.

Objective: A system for measuring posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness (PAS) was developed for use in clinical trials of manipulation for low back pain. The reliability of this device is under investigation in this study.

Methods: The PAS system uses electronic sensors to record displacement and force while a human operator provides the force of indentation.

Spinal manipulation alters electromyographic activity of paraspinal muscles: a descriptive study.

Objective: To examine the effect of spinal manipulation on electromyographic (EMG) activity in areas of localized tight muscle bundles of the low back.

Methods: Surface EMG activity was collected from 16 participants in 2 chiropractic offices during the 5 to 10 minutes of the treatment protocol. Electrodes were placed over the 2 sites of greatest paraspinal muscle tension as determined by manual palpation.

Biomechanical evaluation of four different mattresses.

This study provided an objective, biomechanical comparison of four "top of the line" mattresses from four different manufacturers using two different measurements. One, which has been used in other studies, was pressure distribution patterns-evaluating maximum pressures generated by an individual lying supine on the mattresses. The other was a novel approach developed specifically for this study-quantifying the degree of spinal distortion induced when in the side posture position.

A possible methodological flaw in comparing dominant and nondominant sided lumbar spine muscle responses without simultaneously considering hand dominance.

Study Design: Different factorial designs analyzing the same data were compared for consistent interpretation.

Objective: To assess hand dominance as an explanatory factor when comparing dominant and nondominant side back muscle response time delay and fatigability.

Summary Of Background Data: A number of studies have evaluated lumbar spinal muscle responses to sudden load and fatigue.