Comparing the Effectiveness of Various Interventions on Improving Lumbar Proprioception

University students ages 18-45, with no recent history of back injury and no history of back surgery, were recruited. Participants completed proprioception testing consisting of a standing side bending and seated spinal flexion test. Participants performed each test once, then were blindfolded and asked to replicate the tests 10 times. After the initial proprioceptive testing, the participants were randomly split into four groups and performed a 10-minute intervention exercise, before repeating the proprioceptive tests for final measurements. The four groups included: graded motor imagery, mirror visual feedback, augmented biofeedback, and diaphragmatic breathing. Participants also completed a Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale to rate their enjoyment of their intervention task

-For the seated forward flexion test, the participants' C7 and S2 vertebrae were identified and used as markers. The participants were asked to bend forward until the tape measure increased 5 cm from the original distance between the C7 and S2 vertebrae. Similar to the seated flexion test, during the side-bending task, the participants were asked to side bend until the tip of their middle finger was 10 cm closer to the floor. The participants were asked to memorize that point in their mind; they were then blindfolded and asked to repeat the movement 10 times, trying to recreate the original position to the best of their ability.

Between initial and final measurements of proprioception, the participants were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups for interventions for a 10-minute training session:

• Graded Motor Imagery Group: Participants were shown several flashcards with pictures of individuals' back oriented to either the flexed or side bent position. The participants stated which direction the image depicted and visualized themselves making the movement identified in the picture.
• Mirror Visual Feedback Group:

Participants viewed themselves in a mirror while performing flexion and side bending movements.

-Augmented Biofeedback Group: Participants used an augmented musculoskeletal feedback system smartphone application app and small sensors with Bluetooth technology to translate the movement of the participant into an avatar on the game.

-Diaphragmatic Breathing Group: Participants were told to sit on a chair with their back straight and feet flat on the floor with one hand on their chest and one hand on their stomach. They performed diaphragmatic breathing in a slow 4 second box method: breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, breathing out for 4 seconds, and then hold for 4 seconds

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Proprioception
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Exercise Based Interventions

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • South Dakota
    • Spearfish, South Dakota, United States, 57783-9575
      • Black Hills State University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy university students ages 18-35
• Must be able to perform low intensity exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• Past medical history of back surgery
• Back pain within the past 6 months
• Musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

4

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Graded Motor Imagery Group	Other: Exercise Based Interventions; Proprioception Training Interventions
Experimental: Mirror Visual Feedback Group	Other: Exercise Based Interventions; Proprioception Training Interventions
Experimental: Augmented Biofeedback Group	Other: Exercise Based Interventions; Proprioception Training Interventions
Sham Comparator: Diaphragmatic Breathing Group	Other: Exercise Based Interventions; Proprioception Training Interventions

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Proprioception	Change in lumbar proprioception as assessed through the seated forward flexion test measured in cm following a single training session.	Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Black Hills State University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 3, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 10, 2020
• Study Completion (Actual): November 10, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 12, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 13, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): January 15, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 19, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2021
• Last Verified: January 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: BlackHillsSU

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