Effects of a Thoracic Manipulation on Hip Adductor, Extensor, and Latissimus Dorsi Force in Those With Adductor Weakness

University of New England40 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this trial was to determine if a mid-thoracic high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation improves force output in those with unilateral hip adductor weakness. The main aims were to determine if the intervention: Improved hip adductor force and muscle activation immediately and 48 h post manipulation compared to a control group. Improved gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi force and muscle activation immediately and 48 h post manipulation compared to a control group. Strength and muscle activation of the hip adductors, hip extensors (gluteus maximus), and shoulder extensors (latissimus dorsi) were measured prior to, immediate after, and 48 hours after receiving a high velocity low amplitude manipulation to the thoracic spine. The manipulation was performed by a licensed chiropractor. A control group received a validated sham manipulation to the thoracic spine. Participants were blinded to group assignment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Muscle Weakness

Interventions

Participants were supine on a treatment table. The chiropractor determined levels of apparent spinal dysfunction by means of static palpation. Participants were then asked to curl forward and bring their knees to their chest as the chiropractor placed a fist just inferior to the targeted level, anywhere between the T4 - T10 vertebrae. The participant was instructed to inhale and then exhale, at which point the chiropractor lowered the participant's torso back to the table and delivered a thrust using his body into his fist.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Unilateral hip adductor weakness, as assessed by manual muscle testing * Pain free hip motion * No contraindications to high velocity thoracic spine manipulation including: Any known active cancer/ Metastatic Bone Cancer Osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders Signs of spinal cord compression Nerve root compression with increasing neurologic deficit Signs of Vertebrobasilar insufficiency/ cervical artery abnormalities Bleeding Diatheses Angina pectoris Exclusion Criteria: * Current pain in the adductor muscle group * Past history of hip surgery * Past history of hip fracture * History of spine or rib fractures * Psoas muscle group (hip flexor) weakness as determined by manual muscle testing * Received a chiropractic manipulation in past week

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Hip adductor force (weak limb)

Isometric force produced by the hip adductors in the weaker limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Hip adductor muscle activity (weak limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Hip extension force (strong limb)

Isometric force produced by the hip extensors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Gluteus maximus muscle activity (strong limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Hip extension force (weak limb)

Isometric force produced by the hip extensors in the weak limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Gluteus maximus muscle activity (weak limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Shoulder extension force (weak limb)

Isometric force produced by the shoulder extensors in the weak limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Latissimus dorsi muscle activity (weak limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Shoulder extension force (strong limb)

Isometric force produced by the shoulder extensors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Latissimus dorsi muscle activity (strong limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Hip adductor muscle activity (strong limb)

Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention

Hip adductor force (strong limb)

Isometric force produced by the hip adductors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Time frame: Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention

Effects of a Thoracic Manipulation on Hip Adductor, Extensor, and Latissimus Dorsi Force in Those With Adductor Weakness

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes