Effect of Mobilisations on Lumbar and Hamstring

April 23, 2018 updated by: Paul Chesterton, Teesside University

Investigating the Effect of L4 and L5 Lumbar Posterior -Anterior Mobilisations on Measures of Lumbar and Hamstring Range of Motion, and Electromyography Activity of the Erector Spinae and Hamstring

To compare the immediate and short-term effects of L4 and L5 Unilateral Posterior Anterior (UPA) Mobilisations on the lumbar and hamstring range of motion and EMG activity of the Erector Spinae and Hamstring muscles.

Using a pre-test post-test crossover design subjects lumbar flexion and active knee extension with be recorded prior to and following unilateral zygapophyseal joint mobilisations. Measures will be taken immediately after and then 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 60 minutes intervals post intervention. Mobilisation force will be measured via force plates to ensure consistent mobilisation pressure.

Following data collection statistical analysis will be undertaken to analyse any potential benefit of lumbar mobilisations to influence the EMG activity of the Erector Spinae and Hamstrings. Functional assessment of lumbar range of motion and hamstring range of motion to be conducted and analyse any effect on movement

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

25-30 participants will be tested in the Olympia Building Biomechanics Laboratory at Teesside University.

Due to the nature of the cross-over design participants will attend the laboratory twice, one week apart.

Baseline measurements of Lumbar flexion and hamstring range of motions will be taken.

During lumbar flexion participants will be asked to stand with their arms at their side (anatomical position) and feet 8cm part. The tester will demonstrate the flexion motion then request the subject bends forwards are far as is possible, maintaining knee extension. A previous reliability study (Page 2012) has indicated four lumbar flexion movements repetitions were required to prevent the effects of passive stiffness improving the range. On the fourth trial the measurement via the modified schober test. This requires skin markers to be placed 10cm above and 5cm below the lumbar-sacral junction and the change distance calculated at end range. This will be conducted by the lead author, Paul Chesterton, a physiotherapist with appropriate insurance and qualifications.

Hamstring extensibility will be measured via the active knee extension test. Test leg will be determined by dominant/kicking leg. Subjects will be secured into anterior pelvic tilt via a belt and asked to extend the knee to maximal length. A purpose made wooden wedge will provide a right angle surface to ensure the hip is held at 90 degrees. The digital inclinometer will record the change in degrees of active knee extension post-test. The knee will be extended to end range, determined by the subject, with the hip, knee and ankle maintained in neutral. The non-dominant leg will be secured to the bed via a belt.

To record the surface electromyography (SEMG) activity in the muscles of the participants in this study the Zerowire Cometa system will be used. This system will record the muscle activity wirelessly. Every electrode unit is equipped with a small unit for signal processing and transmission to the data receiver. The electrodes are single use disposable, self-adhesive silver chloride dual snap on electrodes pre-set at a distance of 20mm.

All participants will have the skin prepared prior to the noraxon electrode being placed on their skin. Skin preparation will consist of shaving the area to remove any hair then wiping the area with alcohol wipe then the placing noraxon dual electrode in appropriate position in relation to recommendations by Seniam (2003). The electrodes are placed in line to the pennant of the muscle.

Electrodes will be attached according to European recommendation (seniam) at the Paraspinal muscles, and the Biceps Femoris of the dominant leg. A baseline sEMG will then be taken whilst the participant is at rest for 60seconds. The electrode placement and sEMG recording will be taken by a qualified laboratory technician employed by Teesside University.

The intervention will consist of unilateral lumbar mobilisations at the L4 and L5 level in a Posterior Anterior direction. The plinth will rest on force plates to allow the authors to analyse the force placed through the vertebrae. Grade three mobilisations will be applied for a one minute period three times at both L4 and L5 level. Each level will be determined by a passive physiological intervertebral movement. Participants will receive the mobilisations at L5 first for one minute followed by L4. This is an appropriate dose for mobilisation application (Maitland, 2013). This process will be carried out three times.

Following either the control or intervention all measure lumbar flexion, hamstring extensibility and sEMG activity will be recorded immediately, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.

Data analysis will occur using the zerowire cometa system version 1.6. The raw rate will be smoothed and rectified using a Butterworth algorithm with a high pass filter with a cut of frequency of 20Hz at order 5 with the data will be rectified using route mean square (RMS) set at a window of 20ms.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

18

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
    • Teesside
      • Middlesbrough, Teesside, United Kingdom, TS1 3BA
        • Social Sciences, Business and Law

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 18-65. Participants willing to provide inform consent. Participants who successfully complete the medical questionnaire. No current lower back or lower limb pathology.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current symptomatic low back pain or lower limb pathology. Participants with altered neurodynamic symptoms. Previous lumbar surgery. Under supervision of another health practionare Pregnant participants Contraindications or precautions to spinal mobilisation

    • malignancy, inflammatory or infectious processes involving the spine or peripheral joints,
    • osteoporosis,
    • spinal disorders including spondylolisthesis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal fusion

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mobilisations

The intervention will consist of unilateral lumbar mobilisations at the L4 and L5 level in a Posterior Anterior direction. The plinth will rest on force plates to allow the authors to analyse the force placed through the vertebrae. Grade three mobilisations will be applied for a one minute period three times at both L4 and L5 level. Each level will be determined by a passive physiological intervertebral movement. Participants will receive the mobilisations at L5 first for one minute followed by L4. This is an appropriate dose for mobilisation application (Maitland, 2013). This process will be carried out three times.

Following the intervention all measure lumbar flexion, hamstring extensibility and sEMG activity will be recorded immediately, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
Other: Lumbar Mobilisations
Please see arm (intervention) description
No Intervention: Control
All outcome measures (lumbar/hamstring range of motion; EMG activity of the Biceps Femoris and Erector Spinae) will be measured. The control group will then receive no intervention and be asked to lie supine on a plinth for the treatment duration before having the outcome measures reassessed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Lumbar Range of Motion
Time Frame: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
During lumbar flexion participants will be asked to stand with their arms at their side (anatomical position) and feet 8cm part. The tester will demonstrate the flexion motion then request the subject bends forwards are far as is possible, maintaining knee extension. A previous reliability study (Page 2012) has indicated four lumbar flexion movements repetitions were required to prevent the effects of passive stiffness improving the range. On the fourth trial the measurement via the modified schober test. This requires skin markers to be placed 10cm above and 5cm below the lumbar-sacral junction and the change distance calculated at end range.
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
Hamstring Range of Motion
Time Frame: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
Hamstring extensibility will be measured via the active knee extension test. Test leg will be determined by dominant/kicking leg. Subjects will be secured into anterior pelvic tilt via a belt and asked to extend the knee to maximal length. A purpose made wooden wedge will provide a right angle surface to ensure the hip is held at 90 degrees. The digital inclinometer will record the change in degrees of active knee extension post-test. The knee will be extended to end range, determined by the subject, with the hip, knee and ankle maintained in neutral. The non-dominant leg will be secured to the bed via a belt.
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
Electromyography of Erector Spinae
Time Frame: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.

Record electromyography (SEMG) activity in the muscles of the participants in this study the Zerowire Cometa system will be used. Every electrode unit is equipped with a small unit for signal processing and transmission to the data receiver. The electrodes are single use disposable, self-adhesive silver chloride dual snap on electrodes pre-set at a distance of 20mm.

All participants will have the skin prepared prior to the noraxon electrode being placed on their skin. Electrodes will be attached according to European recommendation (seniam) at the Paraspinal muscles (L1 region). A baseline sEMG will then be taken whilst the participant is at rest for 60seconds. The electrode placement and sEMG recording will be taken by a qualified laboratory technician employed by Teesside University.
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.
Electromyography of Biceps Femoris
Time Frame: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.

Record electromyography (SEMG) activity in the muscles of the participants in this study the Zerowire Cometa system will be used. Every electrode unit is equipped with a small unit for signal processing and transmission to the data receiver. The electrodes are single use disposable, self-adhesive silver chloride dual snap on electrodes pre-set at a distance of 20mm.

All participants will have the skin prepared prior to the noraxon electrode being placed on their skin. Electrodes will be attached according to European recommendation (seniam) to the Biceps Femoris of the dominate leg. A baseline sEMG will then be taken whilst the participant is at rest for 60seconds. The electrode placement and sEMG recording will be taken by a qualified laboratory technician employed by Teesside University.
5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 minutes post application as a single test.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Teesside University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 22, 2017

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 20, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 1, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 1, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

September 6, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 24, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 23, 2018

Last Verified

April 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • TeessideU

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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