Low-amplitude Spinal Manipulation Research Articles

Relationship of Modic Changes, Disk Herniation Morphology, and Axial Location to Outcomes in Symptomatic Cervical Disk Herniation Patients Treated With High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation: A Prospective Study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether cervical disk herniation (CDH) location, morphology, or Modic changes (MCs) are related to treatment outcomes. MethodsMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and outcome data from 44 patients with CDH treated with spinal manipulative therapy were evaluated. MRI scans were assessed for CDH axial location, morphology, and MCs. Pain (0-10 for neck and arm) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) data were collected at baseline; 2 weeks; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year. The Patient’s Global Impression of Change data were collected at all time points and dichotomized into “improved,” yes or no. Fischer’s exact test compared the proportion improved with MRI abnormalities. Numerical rating scale and NDI scores were compared with MRI abnormalities at baseline and change scores at all time points using the t test or Mann-Whitney U test. ResultsPatients who were Modic positive had higher baseline NDI scores (P = .02); 77.8% of patients who were Modic positive and 53.3% of patients who were Modic negative reported improvement at 2 weeks (P = .21). Fifty percent of Modic I and 83.3% of Modic II patients were improved at 2 weeks (P = .07). At 3 months and 1 year, all patients with MCs were improved. Patients who were Modic positive had higher NRS and NDI change scores. Patients with central herniations were more likely to improve only at the 2-week time point (P = .022). ConclusionsAlthough patients who were Modic positive had higher baseline NDI scores, the proportion of these patients improved was higher for all time points up to 6 months. Patients with Modic I changes did worse than patients with Modic II changes at only 2 weeks.

Quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials in chiropractic using the CONSORT checklist.

BackgroundReviews indicate that the quality of reporting of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the medical literature is less than optimal, poor to moderate, and require improving. However, the reporting quality of chiropractic RCTs is unknown.As a result, the aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of chiropractic RCTs and identify factors associated with better reporting quality. We hypothesized that quality of reporting of RCTs was influenced by industry funding, positive findings, larger sample sizes, latter year of publication and publication in non-chiropractic journals.MethodsRCTs published between 2005 and 2014 were sourced from clinical trial registers, PubMed and the Cochrane Reviews. RCTs were included if they involved high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal and/or extremity manipulation and were conducted by a chiropractor or within a chiropractic department. Data extraction, and reviews were conducted by all authors independently. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Outcomes: a 39-point overall quality of reporting score checklist was developed based on the CONSORT 2010 and CONSORT for Non-Pharmacological Treatments statements. Four key methodological items, based on allocation concealment, blinding of participants and assessors, and use of intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) were also investigated.ResultsThirty-five RCTs were included. The overall quality of reporting score ranged between 10 and 33 (median score 26.0; IQR = 8.00). Allocation concealment, blinding of participants and assessors and ITT analysis were reported in 31 (87 %), 16 (46 %), 25 (71 %) and 21 (60 %) of the 35 RCTs respectively. Items most underreported were from the CONSORT for Non-Pharmacological Treatments statement. Multivariate regression analysis, revealed that year of publication (t32 = 5.17, p = 0.000, 95 % CI: 0.76, 1.76), and sample size (t32 = 3.01, p = 0.005, 95 % CI: 1.36, 7.02), were the only two factors associated with reporting quality.ConclusionThe overall quality of reporting RCTs in chiropractic ranged from poor to excellent, improving between 2005 and 2014. This study suggests that quality of reporting, was influenced by year of publication and sample size but not journal type, funding source or outcome positivity. Reporting of some key methodological items and uptake of items from the CONSORT Extension for Non-Pharmacological Treatments items was suboptimal. Future recommendations were made.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12998-016-0099-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparison of Outcomes in MRI Confirmed Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients With and Without Modic Changes Treated With High Velocity, Low Amplitude Spinal Manipulation

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in outcomes between Modic positive and negative lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients treated with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). MethodsThis prospective outcomes study includes 72 MRI confirmed symptomatic LDH patients treated with SMT. Numerical rating scale (NRS) pain and Oswestry disability data were collected at baseline. NRS, patient global impression of change to assess overall improvement, and Oswestry data were collected at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year. MRI scans were analyzed for Modic change present/absent and classified as Modic I or II when present. Chi-squared test compared the proportion of patients reporting relevant 'improvement' between patients with and without Modic changes and those with Modic I vs. II. NRS and Oswestry scores were compared at baseline and change scores at all follow-up time points using the unpaired Student t test. Results76.5% of Modic positive patients reported ‘improvement’ compared to 53.3% of Modic negative patients (P = .09) at 2 weeks. Modic positive patients had larger decreases in leg pain (P = .02) and disability scores (P = .012) at 2 weeks. Modic positive patients had larger reductions in disability levels at 3 (P = .049) and 6 months (P = .001). A significant difference (P = .001) between patients with Modic I vs. Modic II was found at 1 year, where Modic II patients did significantly better. ConclusionModic positive patients reported higher levels of clinically relevant improvement 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months compared to Modic negative patients. However, at 1 year Modic I patients were significantly less likely to report ‘improvement’, suggesting they may be prone to relapse.

Symptomatic, MRI Confirmed, Lumbar Disc Herniations: A Comparison of Outcomes Depending on the Type and Anatomical Axial Location of the Hernia in Patients Treated With High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether specific MRI features, such as axial location and type of herniation, are associated with outcomes of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation patients treated with spinal manipulation therapy (SMT). MethodsMRI and treatment outcome data from 68 patients were included in this prospective outcomes study. Pain numerical rating scale (NRS) and Oswestry physical disability questionnaire (OPDQ) levels were measured at baseline. The Patients Global Impression of Change scale, the NRS and the OPDQ were collected at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year. One radiologist and 2 chiropractic medicine master’s degree students analyzed the MRI scans blinded to treatment outcomes. κ statistics assessed inter-rater reliability of MRI diagnosis. The proportion of patients reporting relevant improvement at each time point was compared based on MRI findings using the chi-square test. The t test and ANOVA compared the NRS and OPDQ change scores between patients with various MRI abnormalities. ResultsA higher proportion of patients with disc sequestration reported relevant improvement at each time point but this did not quite reach statistical significance. Patients with disc sequestration had significantly higher reduction in leg pain at 1 month compared to those with extrusion (P = .02). Reliability of MRI diagnosis ranged from substantial to perfect (K = .733-1.0). ConclusionsPatients with sequestered herniations treated with SMT to the level of herniation reported significantly higher levels of leg pain reduction at 1 month and a higher proportion reported improvement at all data collection time points but this did not reach statistical significance.

Development of a Linked Segment Model to Derive Patient Low Back Reaction Forces and Moments During High-Velocity Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to present the experimental setup, the development, and implementation of a new scalable model capable of efficiently handling data required to determine low back kinetics during high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM). MethodsThe model was implemented in Visual3D software. All contact forces and moments between the patient and the external environment (2 clinician hand contact forces, 1 contact force between the patient and the treatment table), the patient upper body kinematics, and inertial properties were used as input. Spine kinetics and kinematics were determined from a single HVLA-SM applied to one healthy participant in a right side-lying posture to demonstrate the model’s utility. The net applied force was used to separate the spine kinetic and kinematic time-series data from the HVLA-SM into preload as well as early and late impulse phases. ResultsTime-series data obtained from the HVLA-SM procedure showed that the participant’s spine underwent left axial rotation, combined with extension, and a reduction in left lateral bending during the procedure. All components of the reaction force, as well as the axial twist and flexion/extension reaction moments demonstrated a sinusoidal pattern during the early and late impulse phases. During the early impulse phase, the participant’s spine experienced a leftward axial twisting moment of 37.0 Nm followed by a rightward moment of −45.8 Nm. The lateral bend reaction moment exhibited a bimodal pattern during the early and late impulse phases. ConclusionThis model was the first attempt to directly measure all contact forces acting on the participant/patient’s upper body, and integrate them with spine kinematic data to determine patient low back reaction forces and moments during HVLA-SM in a side-lying posture. Advantages of this model include the brevity of data collection (<1 hour), and adaptability for different patient anthropometries and clinician-patient contacts.

The Use of Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review.

To evaluate the methodologic quality of the evidence for the use of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) with and without other therapies in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A systematic review of the literature. Any participant of a primary research study that investigated the effect of SMT on COPD. Only studies with participants older than age 18 years with an existing diagnosis of COPD were included. Interventions included any form of high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation with or without other forms of manual therapy, exercise, and/or pharmacologic intervention. Six-minute walking test, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, residual volume, total lung capacity, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Six articles met all of the inclusion criteria and were included in the review: three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one pre-post observational study, one case series, and one single case study. Sample sizes varied from 1 to 33 participants ranging in age from 55 to 85 years. Risk of bias was low for the three RCTs and high for the other studies. All three RCTs used SMT in conjunction with exercise from a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Five of the six studies reported improvements in lung function and exercise performance following SMT intervention. This review provides a methodologic evaluation of the evidence for using SMT with and without other therapies in the management of COPD. While the quality of the evidence provided by three RCTs was high, they were all conducted on small sample sizes. These results highlight the need for further research into the use of SMT in conjunction with exercise on people with COPD.

The effect of spinal manipulation on deep experimental muscle pain in healthy volunteers.

BackgroundHigh-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation is commonly used in the treatment of spinal pain syndromes. The mechanisms by which HVLA-manipulation might reduce spinal pain are not well understood, but often assumed to relate to the reduction of biomechanical dysfunction. It is also possible however, that HVLA-manipulation involves a segmental or generalized inhibitory effect on nociception, irrespective of biomechanical function. In the current study it was investigated whether a local analgesic effect of HVLA-manipulation on deep muscle pain could be detected, in healthy individuals.Methods and materialsLocal, para-spinal muscle pain was induced by injection of 0.5 ml sterile, hyper-tonic saline on two separate occasions 1 week apart. Immediately following the injection, treatment was administered as either a) HVLA-manipulation or b) placebo treatment, in a randomized cross-over design. Both interventions were conducted by an experienced chiropractor with minimum 6 years of clinical experience. Participants and the researcher collecting data were blinded to the treatment allocation. Pain scores following saline injection were measured by computerized visual analogue pain scale (VAS) (0-100 VAS, 1 Hz) and summarized as a) Pain duration, b) Maximum VAS, c) Time to maximum VAS and d) Summarized VAS (area under the curve). Data analysis was performed as two-way analysis of variance with treatment allocation and session number as explanatory variables.ResultsTwenty-nine healthy adults (mean age 24.5 years) participated, 13 women and 16 men. Complete data was available for 28 participants. Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant difference between active and placebo manipulation on any of the four pain measures.ConclusionThe current findings do not support the theory that HVLA-manipulation has a non-specific, reflex-mediated local or generalized analgesic effect on experimentally induced deep muscle pain. This in turn suggests, that any clinical analgesic effect of HVLA-manipulation is likely related to the amelioration of a pre-existing painful problem, such as reduction of biomechanical dysfunction.

Correlation of expertise with error detection skills of force application during spinal manipulation learning.

Most studies on spinal manipulation learning demonstrate the relevance of including motor learning strategies in chiropractic curricula. Two outcomes of practice are the production of movement in an efficient manner and the improved capability of learners to evaluate their own motor performance. The goals of this study were to evaluate if expertise is associated with increased spinal manipulation proficiency and if error detection skills of force application during a high-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation are related to expertise. Three groups of students and 1 group of expert chiropractors completed 10 thoracic spine manipulations on an instrumented device with the specific goal of reaching a maximum peak force of 300 N after a brief period of practice. After each trial, participants were asked to give an estimate of their maximal peak force. Force-time profiles were analyzed to determine the biomechanical parameters of each participant and the participant's capacity to estimate his or her own performance. Significant between-group differences were found for each biomechanical parameter. No significant difference was found between groups for the error detection variables (p > .05). The lack of significant effects related to the error detection capabilities with expertise could be related to the specificity of the task and how the training process was structured. This study confirms that improvements in biomechanical parameters of spinal manipulation are related to expertise. Feedback based on error detection could be implemented in chiropractic curricula to improve trainee abilities in detecting motor execution errors.

Immediate electromyographic changes of the upper limb muscles following cervical manipulation in a patient with essential tremor: a case report

Introduction and Objective: The purpose of this case report is to evaluate upper limb muscle electric behavior by surface electromyography before and after cervical manipulation in a patient with essential tremor. Methods: In 2009, essential tremor was diagnosed by a neurologist in a 25-year-old woman. Previous treatment included Paroxetine for a number of months, without alteration of her symptoms. The patient was assessed by surface electromyography of the upper limb muscles (flexor and extensor of the wrist, long heads of biceps and triceps) before and after being subjected to high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation to her mid cervical spine (C3-C4 level, 1 manipulation/side). Results: There was an increase of the median frequency rate and a decrease of the electrical activity of these muscles. Conclusion: This case study showed the cervical manipulation technique acutely modifying the electromyographic activity, increasing the median frequency, and decreasing the muscle recruitment of the upper limb. It suggests improved motor control during the tasks.

Learning Spinal Manipulation: The Effect of Expertise on Transfer Capability

ObjectiveTransfer capability represents the changes in performance in one task that result from practice or experience in other related tasks. Increased transfer capability has been associated with expertise in several motor tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate if expertise in spinal manipulation therapy, assessed in groups of trainees and experienced chiropractors, is associated with increased transfer capabilities. MethodsForty-nine chiropractic students (fifth- and sixth-year students) and experienced chiropractors were asked to perform blocks of 10 thoracic spine manipulations in 3 different conditions: preferred position and table setting, increased table height, and unstable support surface. Spinal manipulations were performed on a computer-connected device developed to emulate a prone thoracic spine manipulation. Thrust duration, thrust force rate of force application, and preload force were obtained for each trial and compared across groups and conditions. ResultsResults indicated that both expertise and performance conditions modulated the biomechanical parameters of spinal manipulation. Decreased thrust duration and increased rate of force application were observed in experienced clinicians, whereas thrust force and thrust rate of force application were significantly decreased when task difficulty was increased. Increasing task difficulty also led to significant increases in performance variability. ConclusionOverall, this study suggests that when instructed to perform spinal manipulation in a challenging context, trainees and experts choose to modulate force to optimize thrust duration, a characteristic feature of high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation. Given its known association with motor proficiency, transfer capability assessments should be considered in spinal manipulative therapy training.

Neural responses to the mechanical characteristics of high velocity, low amplitude spinal manipulation: Effect of specific contact site

BackgroundSystematic investigations are needed identifying how variability in the biomechanical characteristics of spinal manipulation affects physiological responses. Such knowledge may inform future clinical practice and research study design. ObjectiveTo determine how contact site for high velocity, low amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM) affects sensory input to the central nervous system. DesignHVLA-SM was applied to 4 specific anatomic locations using a no-HVLA-SM control at each location randomized in an 8×8 Latin square design in an animal model. MethodsNeural activity from muscle spindles in the multifidus and longissimus muscles were recorded from L6 dorsal rootlets in 16 anesthetized cats. A posterior to anterior HVLA-SM was applied through the intact skin overlying the L6 spinous process, lamina, inferior articular process and L7 spinous process. HVLA-SMs were preceded and followed by simulated spinal movement applied to the L6 vertebra. Change in mean instantaneous discharge frequency (ΔMIF) was determined during the thrust and the simulated spinal movement. ResultsAll contact sites increased L6 muscle spindle discharge during the thrust. Contact at all L6 sites significantly increased spindle discharge more than at the L7 site when recording at L6. There were no differences between L6 contact sites. For simulated movement, the L6 contact sites but not the L7 contact site significantly decreased L6 spindle responses to a change in vertebral position but not to movement to that position. ConclusionsThis animal study showed that contact site for an HVLA-SM can have a significant effect on the magnitude of sensory input arising from muscle spindles in the back.

Antinociceptive Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Nociceptive Behavior of Adult Rats during the Formalin Test.

Optimizing pain relief resulting from spinal manipulative therapies, including low velocity variable amplitude spinal manipulation (LVVA-SM), requires determining their mechanisms. Pain models that incorporate simulated spinal manipulative therapy treatments are needed for these studies. The antinociceptive effects of a single LVVA-SM treatment on rat nociceptive behavior during the commonly used formalin test were investigated. Dilute formalin was injected subcutaneously into a plantar hindpaw. Licking behavior was video-recorded for 5 minutes. Ten minutes of LVVA-SM at 20° flexion was administered with a custom-made device at the lumbar (L5) vertebra of isoflurane-anesthetized experimental rats (n = 12) beginning 10 minutes after formalin injection. Hindpaw licking was video-recorded for 60 minutes beginning 5 minutes after LVVA-SM. Control rats (n = 12) underwent the same methods except for LVVA-SM. The mean times spent licking the formalin-injected hindpaw of both groups 1–5 minutes after injection were not different. The mean licking time during the first 20 minutes post-LVVA-SM of experimental rats was significantly less than that of control rats (P < 0.001). The mean licking times of both groups during the second and third 20 minutes post-LVVA-SM were not different. Administration of LVVA-SM had a short-term, remote antinociceptive effect similar to clinical findings. Therefore, mechanistic investigations using this experimental approach are warranted.

Peripheral Oxidative Stress Blood Markers in Patients With Chronic Back or Neck Pain Treated With High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Manipulation

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative-stress parameters in individuals with chronic neck or back pain after 5 weeks of treatment with high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation. MethodsTwenty-three individuals aged 38.2 ± 11.7 years with nonspecific chronic neck or back pain verified by the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Chronic Pain Grade, with a sedentary lifestyle, no comorbidities, and not in adjuvant therapy, underwent treatment with HVLA chiropractic manipulation twice weekly for 5 weeks. Therapeutic procedures were carried out by an experienced chiropractor. Blood samples were assessed before and after treatment to determine the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the levels of nitric oxide metabolites and lipid hydroperoxides. These blood markers were analyzed by paired Student t test. Differences were considered statistically significant, when P was <.05. ResultsThere was no change in catalase but an increase in SOD (0.35 ± 0.03 U SOD per milligram of protein vs 0.44 ± 0.04 U SOD per milligram of protein; P < .05) and GPx (7.91 ± 0.61 nmol/min per milligram of protein vs 14.07 ± 1.07 nmol/min per milligram of protein; P < .001) activities after the treatment. The nitric oxide metabolites and the lipid hydroperoxides did not change after treatment. ConclusionHigh-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation twice weekly for 5 weeks increases the SOD and GPx activities. Previous studies have shown a relationship between pain and oxidative and nitrosative parameters; thus, it is possible that changes in these enzymes might be related to the analgesic effect of HVLA spinal manipulation.

Effect of Spinal Manipulation Thrust Duration on Trunk Mechanical Activation Thresholds of Nociceptive-Specific Lateral Thalamic Neurons

ObjectiveThe objective of this preliminary study was to determine if high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM) thrust duration alters mechanical trunk activation thresholds of nociceptive-specific (NS) lateral thalamic neurons. MethodsExtracellular recordings were obtained from 18 NS neurons located in 2 lateral thalamic nuclei (ventrolateral [n = 12] and posterior [n = 6]) in normal anesthetized Wistar rats. Response thresholds to electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (rigid tip) mechanical trunk stimuli applied in 3 lumbar directions (dorsal-ventral, 45° caudal, and 45° cranial) were determined before and immediately after the delivery of 3 HVLA-SM thrust durations (time control 0, 100, and 400 milliseconds). Mean changes in mechanical trunk activation thresholds were compared using a mixed model analysis of variance. ResultsHigh-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation duration did not significantly alter NS lateral thalamic neurons' mechanical trunk responses to any of the 3 directions tested with the anesthesiometer. ConclusionsThis study is the first to examine the effect of HVLA-SM thrust duration on NS lateral thalamic mechanical response thresholds. High-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation thrust duration did not affect mechanical trunk thresholds.

Study protocol for patient response to spinal manipulation - a prospective observational clinical trial on physiological and patient-centered outcomes in patients with chronic low back pain.

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a major health issue due to its high prevalence rate and socioeconomic cost. While spinal manipulation (SM) is recommended for LBP treatment by recently published clinical guidelines, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. Spinal stiffness is routinely examined and used in clinical decisions for SM delivery. It has also been explored as a predictor for clinical improvement. Flexion-relaxation phenomenon has been demonstrated to distinguish between LBP and healthy populations. The primary objective of the current study is to collect preliminary estimates of variability and effect size for the associations of these two physiological measures with patient-centered outcomes in chronic LBP patients. Additionally biomechanical characteristics of SM delivery are collected with the intention to explore the potential dose–response relationship between SM and LBP improvement.Methods/DesignThis is a prospective, observational study applying side-lying, high velocity, low amplitude SM as treatment for patients with LBP over a course of 6 weeks. Approximately 80 participants will be enrolled if they present with chronic LBP of 1, 2 or 3 in Quebec Task Force Classification for spinal disorders, a Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score ≥ 6, and persistent LBP ≥ 2 with a maximum ≥ 4 using numerical rating scale. Patient-centered outcomes include LBP using visual analog scale, RMDQ, and PROMIS-29. Lumbar spine stiffness is assessed using palpation, a hand-held instrumented device, and an automated device. Flexion-relaxation is assessed using surface electromyography at the third level of the lumbar spine. Biomechanical characteristics of SM are assessed using a self-reported, itemized description system, as well as advanced kinetic measures that will be applied to estimate forces and moments at the lumbar segment level targeted by SM.DiscussionBeside alterations in material properties of the passive components of the spine, increased neuromuscular activity may also contribute to a stiffened spine. Examining changes in both spinal stiffness and flexion-relaxation along the course of the treatment provides an opportunity to understand if the therapeutic effect of SM is associated with its action on active and/or passive components of the spine.Trial registrationNCT01670292 on clinicaltrials.gov.

Instantaneous Rate of Loading During Manual High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulations

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the instantaneous rate of loading during manual high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulations (HVLA SMs) in the lumbar and thoracic regions and compare to the average rates of loading. MethodsForce-time profiles were recorded using a hand force transducer placed between the hand of a doctor of chiropractic and the subject’s back during 14 HVLA SM thrusts on asymptomatic volunteers while 3 doctors of chiropractic delivered the spinal manipulations. Doctors also delivered 36 posterior to anterior thoracic manipulations on a mannequin. Data were collected at a sampling rate of 1000 Hz using Motion Monitor software. Force-time profile data were differentiated to obtain instantaneous rates of loading. The data were reduced using a custom-written MathCad program and analyzed descriptively. ResultsThe instantaneous rates of loading were 1.7 to 1.8 times higher than average rates of loading, and instantaneous rates of unloading were 2.1 to 2.6 times the average rates of unloading during HVLA SMs. Maximum instantaneous rates of loading occurred 102 to 111 milliseconds prior to peak load. Maximum instantaneous rates of unloading occurred 121 to 154 milliseconds after the peak load. These data may be useful for further understanding of HVLA SMs. ConclusionsThe instantaneous rates of loading and where they occurred may be useful data for understanding and describing HVLA SMs.

Effect of Spinal Manipulation Thrust Magnitude on Trunk Mechanical Activation Thresholds of Lateral Thalamic Neurons

ObjectivesHigh-velocity low-amplitude spinal manipulation (HVLA-SM), as performed by doctors who use manual therapy (eg, doctors of chiropractic and osteopathy), results in mechanical hypoalgesia in clinical settings. This hypoalgesic effect has previously been attributed to alterations in peripheral and/or central pain processing. The objective of this study was to determine whether thrust magnitude of a simulated HVLA-SM alters mechanical trunk response thresholds in wide dynamic range (WDR) and/or nociceptive specific (NS) lateral thalamic neurons. MethodsExtracellular recordings were carried out in the thalamus of 15 anesthetized Wistar rats. Lateral thalamic neurons having receptive fields, which included the lumbar dorsal-lateral trunk, were characterized as either WDR (n=22) or NS (n=25). Response thresholds to electronic von Frey (rigid tip) mechanical trunk stimuli were determined in 3 directions (dorsal-ventral, 45° caudalward, and 45° cranialward) before and immediately after the dorsal-ventral delivery of a 100-millisecond HVLA-SM at 3 thrust magnitudes (control, 55%, 85% body weight). ResultsThere was a significant difference in mechanical threshold between 85% body weight manipulation and control thrust magnitudes in the dorsal-ventral direction in NS neurons (P=.01). No changes were found in WDR neurons at either HVLA-SM thrust magnitude. ConclusionsThis study is the first to investigate the effect of HVLA-SM thrust magnitude on WDR and NS lateral thalamic mechanical response threshold. Our data suggest that, at the single lateral thalamic neuron level, there may be a minimal spinal manipulative thrust magnitude required to elicit an increase in trunk mechanical response thresholds.

Short-Term Effect of Spinal Manipulation on Pain Perception, Spinal Mobility, and Full Height Recovery in Male Subjects With Degenerative Disk Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effect on spinal mobility, pain perception, neural mechanosensitivity, and full height recovery after high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation (SM) in the lumbosacral joint (L5-S1). DesignRandomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with evaluations at baseline and after intervention. SettingUniversity-based physical therapy research clinic. ParticipantsMen (N=40; mean age ± SD, 38±9.14y) with diagnosed degenerative lumbar disease at L5-S1 were randomly divided into 2 groups: a treatment group (TG) (n=20; mean age ± SD, 39±9.12y) and a control group (CG) (n=20; mean age ± SD, 37±9.31y). All participants completed the intervention and follow-up evaluations. InterventionsA single L5-S1 SM technique (pull-move) was performed in the TG, whereas the CG received a single placebo intervention. Main Outcome MeasuresMeasures included assessing the subject's height using a stadiometer. The secondary outcome measures included perceived low back pain, evaluated using a visual analog scale; neural mechanosensitivity, as assessed using the passive straight-leg raise (SLR) test; and amount of spinal mobility in flexion, as measured using the finger-to-floor distance (FFD) test. ResultsThe intragroup comparison indicated a significant improvement in all variables in the TG (P<.001). There were no changes in the CG, except for the FFD test (P=.008). In the between-group comparison of the mean differences from pre- to postintervention, there was statistical significance for all cases (P<.001). ConclusionsAn HVLA SM in the lumbosacral joint performed on men with degenerative disk disease immediately improves self-perceived pain, spinal mobility in flexion, hip flexion during the passive SLR test, and subjects' full height. Future studies should include women and should evaluate the long-term results.

Outcomes of Acute and Chronic Patients With Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Confirmed Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniations Receiving High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude, Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study With One-Year Follow-Up

ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to evaluate patients with low-back pain (LBP) and leg pain due to magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed disc herniation who are treated with high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation in terms of their short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes of self-reported global impression of change and pain levels at various time points up to 1 year and to determine if outcomes differ between acute and chronic patients using a prospective, cohort design. MethodsThis prospective cohort outcomes study includes 148 patients (between ages of 18 and 65 years) with LBP, leg pain, and physical examination abnormalities with concordant lumbar disc herniations. Baseline numerical rating scale (NRS) data for LBP, leg pain, and the Oswestry questionnaire were obtained. The specific lumbar spinal manipulation was dependent upon whether the disc herniation was intraforaminal or paramedian as seen on the magnetic resonance images and was performed by a doctor of chiropractic. Outcomes included the patient’s global impression of change scale for overall improvement, the NRS for LBP, leg pain, and the Oswestry questionnaire at 2 weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 year after the first treatment. The proportion of patients reporting “improvement” on the patient’s global impression of change scale was calculated for all patients and acute vs chronic patients. Pretreatment and posttreatment NRS scores were compared using the paired t test. Baseline and follow-up Oswestry scores were compared using the Wilcoxon test. Numerical rating scale and Oswestry scores for acute vs chronic patients were compared using the unpaired t test for NRS scores and the Mann-Whitney U test for Oswestry scores. Logistic regression analysis compared baseline variables with “improvement.” ResultsSignificant improvement for all outcomes at all time points was reported (P < .0001). At 3 months, 90.5% of patients were “improved” with 88.0% “improved” at 1 year. Although acute patients improved faster by 3 months, 81.8% of chronic patients reported “improvement” with 89.2% “improved” at 1 year. There were no adverse events reported. ConclusionsA large percentage of acute and importantly chronic lumbar disc herniation patients treated with chiropractic spinal manipulation reported clinically relevant improvement.

EFFICACY OF HIGH-VELOCITY LOW-AMPLITUDE SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR NON SPECIFIC LOW BACK PAIN

BACKGROUND Back pain is one of the most frequently seen health problems, affecting 9 out of 10 people in a population at some point during their lives. The lower back is the region most commonly affected. Low-back pain can be debilitating, and it is often challenging to treat Low Back Pain. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (HVLA) Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) for Non Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP). STUDY DESIGN Systemic review METHODS Only articles that had adult (18 years and above) participants were included in this review and studies that classified the intervention as HVLA spinal manipulation were included. Studies that included spinal manipulation other than HVLA or studies of spinal manipulation under anesthesia were excluded. RESULTS Eight full text papers and three systemic reviews justifying the inclusion criteria are reviewed which revealed that high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulative therapy have significant effect in alleviating low back pain. CONCLUSION Spinal manipulation therapy is a distinctive approach that considerably decreases nonspecific low back pain however there is need of further clinical trials into this subject focusing solely on high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation.