This study involves imaging the skin movements of surface tissue on the back. A clinician will perform assessment and intervention procedures manually, using manual and light movements of stretch and compression.
This study includes a demographic questionnaire, self-report on level of pain, application of ink to the skin, manual clinical assessments, and a massage intervention. The study will take place entirely in Olsson Hall. All information collected will be recorded using a randomized identification number. 1. Upon arrival for the study, a participant will be asked to read, review, and sign this informed consent agreement. 2. Next, the participant will be asked verbally to complete a demographic questionnaire. 3. The study team will verbally ask the participant to rate the current level of pain. 4. The participant will have been asked to bring clothes (e.g., sports bra, halter top, or swimming suit, etc.) to expose the upper back/neck region, and will change into those in an isolated room and within the overall laboratory space. A gown will be provided for additional privacy. 5. Two researchers will be in the room during the session, with the gender of the researchers taken into account per participant. For example, for a male participant, the investigators plan to have a male researcher present during the session along with the female physical therapist. For a female participant, the investigators plan to have both the female physical therapist and a female researcher present. 6. The study team will apply non-toxic, washable ink to the participant's back in two 10 by 10 cm areas near the shoulder blades on either side of the body. 7. The participant will lie flat on a massage table. 8. A camera system will record the movements of the fingers of the physical therapist, along with the movements of the skin. The investigators will videotape the upper part of the participant's back. A participant's face will never be videotaped, nor will audio be recorded. 9. The physical therapist will conduct standard assessment procedures for about 2 minutes per side of the body, where the skin tissue will be compressed and slightly stretched 10. A soft tissue intervention, or massage, lasting about 15 minutes will take place in the participant's upper back/neck region. 11. Another assessment like that prior will be performed. 12. The participant will again be verbally asked about the current level of pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
5
The clinician will perform a soft tissue massage intervention where she/he will use moderate massaging and compression. The amount of pressure is less than 5 N, the velocity is low at a controlled rate of 1 Hz, the duration of 30 seconds, angle 90 and 45 degrees.
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
Skin Stretch Response to Manual Lateral Pull
In the study overall, a non-invasive surface skin imaging technique with three cameras is used to determine soft tissue deformation and mobility. Using this basis of data, this outcome measure characterizes the skin's stretch response to the manual application of lateral pull perpendicular to it's surface, as the clinician pulls the tissue lateral to its surface with her fingertips. Therefore, from this data, the specific outcome measure is 1st principal strain (%) against manual pull (which is measured as maximum displacement, in units millimeters) for each of the two directions of pull (superior - towards neck, inferior - away from neck).
Time frame: Measured once at start and once at finish of one hour session per participant
Clinical Evaluation of Range of Motion
The assessing clinician will record the range of motion (ROM) of the neck with the subject in the upright, seated position, using a head mounted inclinometer system (Cervical Range-of-Motion Instrument Basic). Cervical ROM will be assessed bilaterally in four directions, a) extension, b) flexion, c) rotation, and d) lateral flexion. Units of degrees will be recorded per each motion.
Time frame: Measured once at start and once at finish of one hour session per participant
Clinical Evaluation of Pressure Pain Threshold
The assessing clinician will use Algometry to quantify pressure pain threshold (PPT), defined as the minimum pressure applied with a handheld algometer at which the sensation changed from pressure to discomfort. Units of Newtons will be recorded.
Time frame: Measured once at start and once at finish of one hour session per participant
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