New Method Evaluates Bending Stiffness During Treatment For Low Back Pain

Main Category: Back Pain
Article Date: 20 May 2005 - 2:00 PDT

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This study develops a method of measuring the bending stiffness of the spine when subjected to posteroanterior mobilization force, a popular treatment for low back pain.

Mobilization force was applied to the lumbar spines of 20 healthy participants while they were lying prone. Mobilization force and the corresponding changes in spinal curvature were measured.

The change in spinal curvature was related to the mobilized load applied.

Investigators suggest measuring the bending stiffness of the spine, an indicator of its health and mobility, for the evaluation of rehabilitation and guide a treatment plan.

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development Tipsheet
The current issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development (JRRD) includes four articles on measurement, treatment, and causes of low back pain and five articles on prosthetic research, including the affect of practitioner knowledge and technique on prosthetic fit; rapid, low cost prosthetic production; and increase of skin temperature after a prosthetic limb is donned.

Contact: Judith LaVoie
judith@vard.org
410-962-1800 x 229
VA Research Communications Service
http://www.vard.org

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