(2018) The immediate and 1-week effects of mid-thoracic thrust manipulation on lower extremity passive range of motion, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1492056
Background: Research suggests that spinal manipulation may effect motion. Less clear is whether this effect is limited to localized responses or may involve generalizable changes.
Objective: To determine whether Mid-thoracic manipulation (MTM) would result in a significant change in the lower extremity passive straight leg raise (PSLR) range of motion immediately and after 1 week.
Methods: Twenty-three healthy subjects were randomly assigned in a double-blinded study. An experimental group received MTM and a control group received a sham intervention. PSLR measurements were taken prior to, immediately after, and one week after the intervention.
Results: Mixed model repeated measure analysis of variance was used to determine that there was a significant interaction between MTM and time (F(2, 21) = 3.84, p < 0.05). Post hoc tests revealed a significant difference between the pretest to immediate posttest values (p < 0.05, SE = 1.47). PSLR in the MTM group increased 10.3° while the sham group increased 1.9°. Difference was non-significant between pretest and 1-week follow-up (p = 0.129, SE = 2.46).
Conclusions: MTM may immediately increase lower extremity passive range of motion, but the effect was lost by the 1-week follow-up. This supports evolving research suggesting that spinal manipulation may have a generalized but transient physiological effect.