Soleus H-Reflex in Different Sitting Postures

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged sitting duration and three different sitting postures (erect, slumped, and slouched sitting postures) on spinal nerve root function by measuring the soleus (SOL) H-reflex amplitude. In addition, the pressure under the ischial tuberosities during the three sitting postures were assessed and correlated with the SOL H-reflex amplitude.

Detailed Description
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Participants were assigned to two groups (prolonged sitting group and controls) based on their daily sitting duration with 15 participants in each group. The outcome measures were recorded during erect, slumped and slouched sitting postures. The differences between the two groups and the three sitting postures in the outcome measures were examined for statistical significance.

Official Title
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The Influence of Different Sitting Postures on Soleus H-Reflex in Normal Subjects

Conditions
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Compression of Spinal Nerve Root, Spinal Disorder, Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Sitting posture


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Able to read, speak, and understand English Exclusion Criteria: Current complaint of low back pain. Current injury to the ankle and/or foot. Limited ankle movement. Leg length discrepancy. Scoliosis. History of: Back surgery. Calf muscle injury/surgery. Radicular symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy. Upper motor neuron lesion. Systemic and metabolic diseases. Cancer. Pregnant at the time of the study. Use of pain medications at the time of the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Prolonged sitting<br>Includes individuals who spent an average of at least 6 hours a day sitting over the past year. | Other: Sitting posture<br>* The outcomes were measured while the participants assumed erect, slumped and slouched sitting postures.<br>|
| Control<br>Includes individuals who spent 4 hours or less/day sitting over the past year. | Other: Sitting posture<br>* The outcomes were measured while the participants assumed erect, slumped and slouched sitting postures.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lumbosacral nerve root function by as measured by the soleus H-reflex amplitude |  | The outcome was measured during one session that lasted for an average of 3 hours. No further measurement was performed after that session. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pressure under the ischial tuberosities | Pressure under the ischial tuberosities was measured in millimeter of mercury (mmHg), with 0 mmHg representing no ischial pressure and 644 mmHg representing the highest pressure. | The outcome was measured during one session that lasted for an average of 3 hours. No further measurement was performed after that session. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Lumbosacral spine, Nerve roots, Sitting, H-reflex