Static palpation ain't easy: Evaluating palpation precision using a topographical map of the lumbar spine as a reference.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Clinicians commonly use manual therapy to treat low back pain by palpating the spine to identify the spinous processes. This study aims to evaluate the ability of experienced clinicians to consistently locate the spinous processes from S1 to T12 through palpation. The results will be compared to topographical data representing the lumbar lordosis at baseline and four follow-up time points.

Materials and methods

In a prior prospective randomized trial, experienced clinicians used palpation to locate the lumbar spinous processes (S1-T12) and then digitized these locations in three-dimensional space. The same digitizing equipment was then used to continuously collect three-dimensional position data of a wheel that rolled along the back's surface through a trajector

SUBMITTER: Hvidkær IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11139336 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature