Musculoskeletal disorders, including low back pain, affects 68% of UK physiotherapists across their career with patient handling considered a key risk factor. Manual handling training is mandatory for all allied health professionals, however there is limited research investigating whether professionals adopt recommended manual handling principles following training. To investigate spinal angles when facilitating sit-to-stand, and a turning manoeuvre in bed, comparing first-year physiotherapy students (who have not received manual handling training) with final-year physiotherapy students (who have received manual handling training).Background
Purpose of Study
Recent research has identified possible functional biomarkers in chronic, nonspecific back pain (CNSLBP) based on intervertebral kinematics. Although excessive IV-RoM is no longer regarded as a clear motion abnormality, some studies have found subtle kinematic measures such as mid-range laxity and motion sharing inequality to be greater in CNSLBP patients. We studied a group of such patients who were investigated following failed interventions in terms of these subtle measures. Thirty-seven patients (mean age 47.5 years SD10.87, F14, M23) with CNSLBP that had recently failed to respond to a range of treatments and 37 healthy controls received passive recumbent lumbar intervertebral flexion assessments following a standardised quantitative fluoroscopy (QF) protocol. Groups were compared for motion sharing inequality (MSI) and variability (MSV) (L2-S1), for level by level laxity and translation, and with reference ranges of these from a separate group of healthy controls (n=54).Purpose and background
Methods
Back and lower limb injuries are prevalent in athletes who perform novel weight-lifting techniques with inappropriate kinematics. Visual-auditory instructions and knowledge of performance (KP) verbal instructions are utilised to help novices execute novel skills. Effectiveness of these methods on executing appropriate front-squat lifting kinematics is limited. Aim: to investigate the effects of visual-auditory instructions compared to KP verbal instructions on front-squat kinematics at sticking point in novice lifters, with improvement determined by proximity to the kinematics of an expert lifter at sticking point when performing optimal front-squat lift. Twenty-four novices were randomised into two groups and performed front-squat lift. The novices in visual-auditory group (n = 12, age = 24.33 ± 2.93 years) received videoaudio instructions, verbal group (n = 12, Age= 22.66 ± 2.34 years) received KP verbal instructions. MATLAB software measured kinematic lumbar angles, Kinovea software measured hip, knee, ankle angles at sticking point of front-squat. Data were collected from video recordings of novices and an expert pre-and post-instructions in one session and expert data were used as reference values of proximity for both groups.Purpose & Background
Methods
Trunk muscle activity and thoraco-lumbar kinematics have been shown to discriminate non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) subgroups from healthy controls. Thoracic spine kinematics and muscle activity whilst intuitively associated with NSCLBP, has received less attention and the possibility of intra-regional interactions remains an area for exploration. Determine relationships between muscle activation and kinematics in active extension pattern (AEP) and flexion pattern (FP) subgroups and no-low back pain controls during a sagittal bending task.Background
Purpose
Despite the rise of back pain disability, objective mechanical assessment is generally lacking. Quantification of intervertebral kinematics using fluoroscopy provides objective measurement, but its use in clinical practice has not been assessed. This study reviewed cases referred to one UK site for lumbar spine quantitative fluoroscopic (QF) examinations and compared the reasons for referral with the findings reported. Fifty-seven consecutive referrals were reviewed. Patients underwent passive recumbent and/or weight-bearing active examinations in either the sagittal or both the sagittal and coronal planes. Data were extracted from anonymised QF reports and analysed for patient characteristics, reason for referral, working diagnosis at referral, level(s) of interest, previous surgical procedures and findings reported. Reports were also thematically analysed for key findings. Most patients had chronic back conditions of moderate or severe intensity. Most (38/57) were male, mean age 47 (SD 13.1) and mean complaint duration 5.4 years (0.3–32 years). They were referred mainly to investigate segmental instability (19/54) or spondylolisthesis (13/54) to inform either surgical referral or conservative management. Instability was reported in only 8/57 cases, but restricted and hypermobile levels in the same patient was also common (13/57). In 11 cases no mechanical abnormality was found.Purpose and Background:
Methods and Results:
Many studies have investigated the kinematics of the lumbar spine and the morphological features of the lumbar discs. However, the segment-dependent immediate changes of the lumbar intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion are still unclear. This study examined the changes of intervertebral space height during flexion-extension motion of lumbar specimens. First, we validated the accuracy and repeatability of a custom-made mechanical loading equipment set-up. Eight lumbar specimens underwent CT scanning in flexion, neural, and extension positions by using the equipment set-up. The changes in the disc height and distance between adjacent two pedicle screw entry points (DASEP) of the posterior approach at different lumbar levels (L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1) were examined on three-dimensional lumbar models, which were reconstructed from the CT images.Objectives
Methods
Low back pain (LBP) is the top leading global cause of years lived with disability. In order to examine LBP, researchers have typically viewed the spine in isolation. Clinically, it is imperative that the lower limbs are also considered. The aim of this study was to design a holistic and reliable multi-segmental kinematic model of the spine and lower limbs. The spine was modelled according to easily identifiable anatomical landmarks, including upper thoracic (T1-T6), lower thoracic (T7-T12) and lumbar (L1-L5) segments. Pelvis, thigh, shank and foot segments were included. A 10-camera 3D motion capture system was used to track retro-reflective markers, which were used to define each segment of 10 healthy participants as they walked 3 times at a comfortable speed over a 6km walkway. The relative peak angles between each segment were calculated using the Joint Coordinate System convention and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were used to determine intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (between an experienced clinician and biomechanical scientist).Introduction
Method
Differences in regional lumbar angles in sitting have been observed between subgroups of NSCLBP patients exhibiting motor control impairments (MCI) (O'Sullivan, 2005; Dankaerts et al, 2006). However, differences in standing posture and other spinal regions are unknown. This study aimed to compare regional spinal angles in healthy and MCI subgroups in sitting and standing. An observational, cross-sectional study investigated spinal kinematics of 28 Flexion Pattern (FP), 23 Active Extension Pattern (AEP) (O'Sullivan, 2005) and 28 healthy controls using 3D motion analysis (Vicon) during usual sitting and standing. Mean sagittal angle for Total Lumbar (TotLx), Total Thoracic (TotTx), Upper Thoracic (UTx), Lower Thoracic (LTx), Upper Lumbar (ULx) and Lower Lumbar (LLx) regions between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA.Background and Purpose of Study:
Methods:
