Spine Position and Neural Sensitivity

NCT05313217 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PRO20220124
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Knee Extension Angle

  A measurement of the degree of knee extension achieved during the KEA, Slump, and extended slump tests

  single testing session at enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• EMG activity, biceps femoris

  single session at enrollment

• qualitative data- extent, nature, and intensity of pain

  single testing session at enrollment

Study Arms (1)

neural tension testing

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants in this arm will undergo four tests: KEA, SLR, Slump, and Extended Slump

Diagnostic Test: Knee extension angle; Diagnostic Test: Straight Leg Raise; Diagnostic Test: Slump Test; Diagnostic Test: Extended slump test

Interventions

Knee extension angle DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

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)

Also known as: KEA

neural tension testing

Straight Leg Raise DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

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)

Also known as: SLR

neural tension testing

Slump Test DIAGNOSTIC_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)

neural tension testing

Extended slump test DIAGNOSTIC_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)

neural tension testing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• healthy individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without low back pain.

You may not qualify if:

• Known previous diagnoses of sciatica or disc herniation
• Diagnosis of scoliosis
• History of pain in the low back or back of the leg
• History of back surgeries
• Any recent hamstring injuries
• Any recent fractures
• History of osteoporosis
• Have feeling of pins and needles down the leg
• Have a known nervous system disorder
• Have a known systemic inflammatory condition
• Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Known history of cardiovascular issues
• Have a known connective tissue disorder
• Bowel/bladder issues
• Are or may be pregnant

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Hartford: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Hartford

West Hartford, Connecticut, 06117, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Swanson B, McCarthy J, Clark E, Norman O, Wilson O. The influence of spine position on measures of lower extremity neural sensitivity. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2025 Aug 21:10538127251370575. doi: 10.1177/10538127251370575. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 40836858 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Brian Swanson, PT, DSc

  University of Hartford

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Quasi-experimental single group laboratory study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2022
• First Posted: April 6, 2022
• Study Start: March 28, 2022
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2022
• Study Completion: July 31, 2022
• Last Updated: May 10, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Following study completion and manuscript submission
• Access Criteria: upon request

Locations

US (1)