Effects of non-manipulative osteopathic management in addition to physical therapy and rehabilitation on clinical outcomes of ankylosing spondylitis patients: A preliminary randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is reported to impair quality of life, physical and functional ability of patients. Rehabilitation and physical therapy is usually proposed to improve AS patient clinical conditions. Besides, an osteopathic management has not been extensively studied in the field of inflammatory diseases.

Biomechanics of the upper cervical spine ligaments in axial rotation and flexion-extension: Considerations into the clinical framework.

Context: The motion of the upper cervical spine (UCS) has a great interest for analyzing the biomechanical features of this joint complex, especially in case of instability. Although investigators have analyzed numerous kinematics and musculoskeletal characteristics, there are still little data available regarding several suboccipital ligaments such as occipito-atlantal, atlantoaxial, and cruciform ligaments.

Objective: The aim of this study is to quantify the length and moment arm magnitudes of suboccipital ligaments and to integrate data into specific 3D-model, including musculoskeletal and motion representation.

Reaction Force Magnitude and Orientation During Supine Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation: An Exploratory Analysis and Reliability of Preload and Impulse Phase.

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to explore specific kinetic parameters during supine thoracic thrust manipulation and to analyze task reliability and differences between various practitioners METHODS: Kinetic parameters were assessed by examining ground reaction force magnitude and orientation (on the basis of the zenithal angle) using force platforms. The manipulative procedure (consisting of the application of 3 preloads followed by 1 single thrust adjustment) was performed by different practitioners at 3 sessions. Application of thrust was allowed for trained practitioners only.

Morphometric analysis of the costal facet of the thoracic vertebrae.

Various studies have examined morphometric features of the vertebrae to understand the functional aspects of the spine. Geometric analysis of vertebral zygapophyseal facets has also been related to functional and clinical aspects of the spine, but no quantitative investigation of the costotransverse joint facet is found in the literature. The costal facet geometry may partly determine the mechanical interaction between the rib cage and spine for trunk stabilization during functional tasks and during breathing.

Effect of Soft Tissue Techniques on Headache Impact, Disability, and Quality of Life in Migraine Sufferers: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of suboccipital inhibitory techniques in people with migraine compared with a control treatment based on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) therapy and stretching.

Design: A randomized, double-blind controlled pilot trial was conducted.

Settings/location: University research laboratory.

Morphometric changes of the cervical intervertebral foramen: A comparative analysis of pre-manipulative positioning and physiological axial rotation.

Background: Cervical foraminal impingement has been described as a source of radicular pain. Clinical tests and head motions have been reported for affecting the intervertebral foramen (IVF) dimensions. Although manual approaches are proposed in the management of cervical radiculopathy, their influence on the foraminal dimensions remains unclear.

The Role of the Muscle Brachioradialis in Elbow Flexion: An Electromyographic Study.

Background: In the classical conception, the brachioradialis is a forearm supinator. The hypothesis of this study was that, at least in certain positions of elbow flexion and forearm rotation, the brachioradialis is, along with the biceps and brachialis, one of the main elbow flexors.

Methods: Fifteen young healthy male volunteers participated in this research.

Relationship Between Subjective Experience of Individuals, Practitioner Seniority, Cavitation Occurrence, and 3-Dimensional Kinematics During Cervical Spine Manipulation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess individual subjective experience (ISE) of the recipients of a cervical manipulation and to analyze the influence of kinematics, cavitation occurrence, and practitioner seniority on individual experience.

Methods: Practitioners with different seniority (years of experience) manipulated 20 asymptomatic volunteers at C3 and C5 on both sides. Kinematics were recorded using a 3-dimensional electrogoniometer, and ISE data were gathered through a questionnaire to explore the subjects' experiences of manipulation in terms of tactile sensations, relaxation, perception of the task, and therapist handling.

Assessment of in vivo 3D kinematics of cervical spine manipulation: Influence of practitioner experience and occurrence of cavitation noise.

Background: Investigations on 3D kinematics during spinal manipulation are widely reported for assessing motion data, task reliability and clinical effects. However the link between cavitation occurrence and specific kinematics remains questionable.

Objectives: This paper investigates the 3D head-trunk kinematics during high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulation for different practitioners with respect to the occurrence of cavitation.

Assessment of Lumbar Spine Height Following Sustained Lumbar Extension Posture: Comparison Between Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography and Stadiometry.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to correlate sitting height measured by stadiometry with lumbar spine height (LSH) modifications measured by musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSU).

Methods: Eighteen healthy young adults were recruited for this study (mean age: 21.5 ± 1.

Head repositioning accuracy in patients with neck pain and asymptomatic subjects: concurrent validity, influence of motion speed, motion direction and target distance.

Background: Cervicocephalic kinesthetic deficiencies have been demonstrated in patients with chronic neck pain (NP). On the other hand, authors emphasized the use of different motion speeds for assessing functional impairment of the cervical spine.

Purpose: The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the head repositioning accuracy in NP patients and control subjects and (2) to assess the influence of target distance, motion speed, motion direction and pain.

Reliability and validation of in vitro lumbar spine height measurements using musculoskeletal ultrasound: A preliminary investigation.

Background: Stadiometry measures total trunk height variations but cannot quantify individual spinal segment height changes. Different methods exist to measure both intervertebral disc and lumbar spine height (LSH) variations but they are either limited by radiation exposure or cost. Musculoskeletal ultrasound could be a valuable alternative to measure spinal segmental height changes as a result of intervention.

3D motion reliability of occipital condylar glide testing: From concept to kinematics evidence.

Background: To date, segmental data analyzing kinematics of occipital condylar testing or mobilization is lacking.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess occipitoatlantal 3D motion components and to analyze inter- and intra-rater reliability during in vitro condylar glide test.

Methods: To conduct this study, four fresh cadavers were included.

Head-trunk kinematics during high-velocity-low-amplitude manipulation of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects: helical axis computation and anatomic motion modeling.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the in vivo 3-dimensional kinematics of the head during cervical manipulation including helical axis (HA) computation and anatomic motion representation.

Methods: Twelve asymptomatic volunteers were included in this study. An osteopathic practitioner performed 1 to 3 manipulations (high-velocity and low-amplitude [HVLA] multiple component technique) of the cervical spine (between C2 and C5) with the patient in the sitting position.

Efficacy of musculoskeletal manual approach in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) requires a complex diagnostic and therapeutic approach, which usually involves a multidisciplinary management. Among these treatments, musculoskeletal manual techniques are used to improve health and healing.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of musculoskeletal manual approach in temporomandibular joint disorder patients.

2015 Young Investigator Award Winner: Cervical Nerve Root Displacement and Strain During Upper Limb Neural Tension Testing: Part 2: Role of Foraminal Ligaments in the Cervical Spine.

Study Design: A cross-sectional cadaveric examination of the mechanical effect of foraminal ligaments on cervical nerve root displacement and strain.

Objective: To determine the role of foraminal ligaments by examining differences in cervical nerve root displacement and strain during upper limb neural tension testing (ULNTT) before and after selective cutting of foraminal ligaments.

Summary Of Background Data: Although investigators have determined that lumbar spine foraminal ligaments limit displacement and strain of lumbosacral nerve roots, similar studies have not been conducted to prove that it is true for the cervical region.

2015 Young Investigator Award Winner: Cervical Nerve Root Displacement and Strain During Upper Limb Neural Tension Testing: Part 1: A Minimally Invasive Assessment in Unembalmed Cadavers.

Study Design: A cross-sectional cadaveric examination of displacement and strain measured at the level of the cervical nerve roots during upper limb neural tension testing (ULNTT) with median nerve bias.

Objective: To determine the displacement and strain of cervical nerve roots C5-C8 during ULNTT with minimal disruption of surrounding tissues.

Summary Of Background Data: Clinical examination of neural pathology involving cervical nerve roots is difficult because of the transient nature of pathologies, such as cervical radiculopathy, entrapment neuropathies, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Sagittal Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Profiles in Upright Standing and Lying Prone Positions Among Healthy Subjects: Influence of Various Biometric Features.

Study Design: A prospective study was performed on the assessment of both thoracic and lumbar spine sagittal profiles (from C7 to S1).

Objective: To propose a new noninvasive method for measuring the spine curvatures in standing and lying prone positions and to analyze their relationship with various biometric characteristics.

Summary Of Background Data: Modifications of spine curvatures (i.

Kinematics of the upper cervical spine during high velocity-low amplitude manipulation. Analysis of intra- and inter-operator reliability for pre-manipulation positioning and impulse displacements.

To date, kinematics data analyzing continuous 3D motion of upper cervical spine (UCS) manipulation is lacking. This in vitro study aims at investigating inter- and intra-operator reliability of kinematics during high velocity low amplitude manipulation of the UCS. Three fresh specimens were used.

Global and regional kinematics of the cervical spine during upper cervical spine manipulation: a reliability analysis of 3D motion data.

Studies reporting spine kinematics during cervical manipulation are usually related to continuous global head-trunk motion or discrete angular displacements for pre-positioning. To date, segmental data analyzing continuous kinematics of cervical manipulation is lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate upper cervical spine (UCS) manipulation in vitro.

Influence of movement speed on cervical range of motion.

Purpose: Cervical range of motion (RoM) has been the subject of many studies. However, only very few of these studies have considered the influence of movement execution speed on the cervical kinematics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of movement speed on cervical RoM.

In vivo thorax 3D modelling from costovertebral joint complex kinematics.

Background: The costovertebral joint complex is mechanically involved in both respiratory function and thoracic spine stability. The thorax has been studied for a long time to understand its involvement in the physiological mechanism leading to specific gas exchange. Few studies have focused on costovertebral joint complex kinematics, and most of them focused on experimental in vitro analysis related to loading tests or global thorax and/or lung volume change analysis.

Validation protocol for assessing the upper cervical spine kinematics and helical axis: An in vivo preliminary analysis for axial rotation, modeling, and motion representation.

Context: The function of the upper cervical spine (UCS) is essential in the kinematics of the whole cervical spine. Specific motion patterns are described at the UCS during head motions to compensate coupled motions occurring at the lower cervical segments.

Aims: First, two methods for computing in vitro UCS discrete motions were compared to assess three-dimensional (3D) kinematics.

Use of embedded strain gages for the in-vitro study of proximal tibial cancellous bone deformation during knee flexion-extension movement: development, reproducibility and preliminary results of feasibility after frontal low femoral osteotomy.

Background: This paper reports the development of an in-vitro technique allowing quantification of relative (not absolute) deformations measured at the level of the cancellous bone of the tibial proximal epiphysis (CB(TPE)) during knee flexion-extension. This method has been developed to allow a future study of the effects of low femoral osteotomies consequence on the CB(TPE).

Methods: Six strain gages were encapsulated in an epoxy resin solution to form, after resin polymerisation, six measurement elements (ME).