Research

Validation of spinal motion with the spine reposition sense device

Cheryl M Petersen^1* and Peter J Rundquist²

¹  Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097, USA

²  University of Indianapolis, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2009, 6:12doi:10.1186/1743-0003-6-12

Published:	22 April 2009

Abstract

Background

A sagittal plane spine reposition sense device (SRSD) has been developed. Two questions were addressed with this study concerning the new SRSD: 1) whether spine movement was occurring with the methodology, and 2) where movement was taking place.

Methods

Sixty-five subjects performed seven trials of repositioning to a two-thirds full flexion position in sitting with X and Y displacement measurements taken at the T4 and L3 levels. The thoracolumbar angle between the T4 and the L3 level was computed and compared between the positions tested. A two (vertebral level of thoracic and lumbar) by seven (trials) mixed model repeated measures ANOVA indicated whether significant differences were present between the thoracic (T4) and lumbar (L3) angular measurements.

Results

Calculated thoracolumbar angles between T4 and L3 were significantly different for all positions tested indicating spinal movement was occurring with testing. No interactions were found between the seven trials and the two vertebral levels. No significant findings were found between the seven trials but significant differences were found between the two vertebral levels.

Conclusion

This study indicated spine motion was taking place with the SRSD methodology and movement was found specific to the lumbar spine. These findings support utilizing the SRSD to evaluate changes in spine reposition sense during future intervention studies dealing with low back pain.