Immediate Effect of Lumbar Mobilization on Paraspinal Muscle Stiffness
ConditionMuscle Stiffness
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-45
SponsorUniversity of Primorska
About this trial
This randomized controlled crossover study will investigate the immediate effect of central posteroanterior lumbar mobilization on the intrinsic stiffness of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles in healthy adults without low back pain. Twenty-four participants will complete two experimental visits in randomized order. During one visit, participants will receive Maitland Grade III++ central posteroanterior mobilization at the L4 vertebral level, while during the other visit they will receive a sham mobilization condition involving gentle rhythmic pressure. Muscle stiffness will be assessed using shear wave elastography immediately before and after each intervention.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Men and women aged 21 to 38 years.
Resident of the Republic of Slovenia.
No current low back pain.
No contraindications to lumbar manual mobilization.
Disqualifiers
Current low back pain.
Spondylolisthesis.
Severe osteoporosis.
Spinal stenosis.
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Maitland Grade III++ Central Posteroanterior Mobilization
Procedure/SurgeryCentral posteroanterior mobilization is applied over the L4 spinous process with the participant in a prone position. The intervention consists of three 60-second sets of passive rhythmic oscillatory pressures performed at approximately 2 Hz, with 30-second rest periods between sets, resulting in approximately 360 oscillatory pressures in total.
Sham Lumbar Mobilization
Procedure/SurgerySham mobilization is applied over the L4 spinous process with the participant in a prone position. The procedure consists of three 60-second sets of gentle rhythmic pressures with 30-second rest periods between sets. The timing and therapist contact are matched to the experimental condition, while substantial mobilization pressure is avoided.
Treatment groups
25 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Mobilization-Sham SequenceExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Sham-Mobilization SequenceActive comparator 2 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Erector Spinae Muscle Stiffness
Intrinsic stiffness of the right erector spinae muscle is assessed using shear wave elastography and expressed as shear modulus in kilopascals (kPa). Three measurements are obtained at each time point and averaged. The outcome is the change from the pre-intervention to the immediate post-intervention measurement.
Time frame
Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session2
Change in Multifidus Muscle Stiffness
Intrinsic stiffness of the right multifidus muscle is assessed using shear wave elastography and expressed as shear modulus in kilopascals (kPa). Three measurements are obtained at each time point and averaged. The outcome is the change from the pre-intervention to the immediate post-intervention measurement.
Time frame
Immediately before and immediately after each intervention sessionSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Erector Spinae Muscle Stiffness Assessed by Myotonometry
Myotonometry will be used to assess mechanical muscle stiffness at the same measurement location used for the erector spinae shear wave elastography assessment. Measurements will be performed immediately before and after each intervention condition. The outcome will be the change in muscle stiffness from pre-intervention to immediate post-intervention.
Time frame
Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session2
Change in Multifidus Muscle Stiffness Assessed by Myotonometry
Myotonometry will be used to assess mechanical muscle stiffness at the same measurement location used for the multifidus shear wave elastography assessment. Measurements will be performed immediately before and after each intervention condition. The outcome will be the change in muscle stiffness from pre-intervention to immediate post-intervention.
Time frame
Immediately before and immediately after each intervention sessionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov