Spine Position and Neural Sensitivity

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to see if there is a relationship between the tightness of the hamstring muscles (muscles on the back of the thighs), reported sensations related to stretch of the nerves of the lower extremity, and different positions of participants' backs. We will investigate the qualitative differences as provided verbally by participants (sensation felt at maximum knee extension angle) and quantitative differences as provided by surface electromyographic (EMG) measurements of hamstring activity and inclinometer measures of the knee angle.

Conditions

• Sciatic Nerve
• Postural Lordosis
• Nerve Pain

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Knee extension angle

Knee Extension Angle (KEA): * This test will be administered with an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) maintaining the participants ankle in neutral. * The participant will lie supine on the examination table with the contralateral lower extremity (LE) stabilized on the support surface using a mobilization strap. * The hip of the lower being examined will be flexed to 90 degrees. * The participant will then actively straighten their lower leg while maintaining upper leg in same position * Once the participant feels they are at maximal knee extension (patient instructed to straighten leg as far as what is comfortable), the angle will be measured with iPhone Inclinometer. * Participant asked to report any symptoms they are feeling and where (recorded for qualitative analysis)

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Straight Leg Raise

Straight Leg Raise (SLR): * Position the participant in supine on the plinth with knees extended and L LE strapped to the plinth * The participant will keep the AFO donned on the R distal ankle to keep the ankle in neutral position. * A researcher will passively lift the participant's right leg moving at a slow but consistent pace of approximately 15 degrees per second, while keeping it straight until a significant resistance is detected or the participant reports a production of symptoms, whichever occurs first. * Measurement of the SLR angle will be assessed with iPhone inclinometer. * Participant asked to report any symptoms they are feeling and where (recorded for qualitative analysis)

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Slump Test

Slump Test Procedure: * Participant will be instructed to sit upright with their legs over the edge of table * AFO remains on R leg * Participant will sequentially flex trunk, look down at the floor * Participant will extend R knee until symptoms are felt. Measure of angle with iPhone inclinometer placed at superior aspect of medial malleolus * Participant asked to report any symptoms they are feeling and where (recorded for qualitative analysis)

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Extended slump test

Extended Slump Procedure: * Participant will be instructed to sit upright with their legs over the edge of table * AFO remains on R leg * Participant is asked to arch their lower back into maximal extension in sitting, stabilized to research bench to maintain hyper-lordosis posture. * The participant is asked first flex cervical spine, then to extend their knee until it reaches full ROM or symptoms are felt that limit ROM. * Knee extension ROM is assessed with iPhone inclinometer at superior aspect of medial malleolus. * Participant asked to report any symptoms they are feeling and where (recorded for qualitative analysis)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Hartford

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Brian Swanson, PT, DSc · University of Hartford

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-03-28

Primary Completion

2022-07-31

Completion

2022-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations