The Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Thigh Muscle Strength

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chiropractic low back adjustments on thigh muscle strength. Force production was measured during different types of muscle contractions with a device called an isokinetic dynamometer. The study included 21 college-aged subjects who did not have any pain and had never received chiropractic treatment with spinal manipulation. During two separate sessions, subjects' thigh muscle forces were recorded while performing maximal muscle contractions on the isokinetic dynamometer. Baseline measurements of muscle force were acquired before either treatment form of spinal manipulation or a sham spinal manipulation, followed by identical muscle force measurements within five and twenty minutes post-treatment.

Detailed Description
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Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic procedure employed by various healthcare practitioners for alleviating acute and chronic musculoskeletal complaints. This form of treatment is also delivered to enhance the performance and augment the rehabilitation of athletes. However, despite research findings alleging the strength-modulating effects of spinal manipulation alongside numerous professional athletes' positive anecdotal claims concerning its results, the physiological processes to explain its effects remain largely unexplained. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of spinal manipulation in a college-aged sample population. This study examined the effect of spinal manipulation delivered to the lumbosacral region on concentric force production of the knee extensors and flexors. A randomized, controlled, single-blind repeated measures design was utilized with 21 subjects. Isometric and isokinetic peak torques (Nm) were recorded during two separate session while subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions post-treatment of either spinal manipulation or a sham manipulation.

Official Title
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The Effects of Lumbosacral Manipulation on Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors and Flexors

Conditions
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Subluxation of Joint of Lumbar Spine

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Spinal Manipulation
* Other: Sham Manipulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Between the ages of 20 to 35 years Asymptomatic with regard to low back, pelvic or lower extremity pain Exclusion Criteria: Previously received spinal manipulation from a chiropractor or other health care provider Contraindications to lumbar spine manipulation (such as fractures, lumbar disc herniation, abdominal aortic aneurysm or cauda equina syndrome)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 35 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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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Spinal Manipulation<br>In a repeated measures, crossover design, all subjects received spinal manipulation during the second or third session. The selection of spinal manipulation or sham was randomized. | Other: Spinal Manipulation<br>* Side-posture, high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation targeting the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham Manipulation<br>In a repeated measures, crossover design, all subjects received the sham manipulation during the second or third session. The selection of spinal manipulation or sham was randomized. | Other: Sham Manipulation<br>* A simulated lumbar spine manipulation in which no vertebral contact was made<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in isometric and isokinetic peak torques compared to baseline | Peak torque measurements were recorded in newton meters (Nm) while subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions of concentric knee extension and flexion during a randomized protocol of isometric and isokinetic contractions, all of which measured with an isokinetic dynamometer | Baseline peak torque measurements were acquired before either treatment form of lumbosacral manipulation or sham manipulation, followed by identical peak torque measurements recorded within 5 minutes and at 20 minutes post-treatment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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spinal manipulation, muscle strength dynamometer, muscle strength