Effects of a Thoracic Manipulation on Hip Adductor, Extensor, and Latissimus Dorsi Force in Those With Adductor Weakness

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Muscle Weakness
• Interventions: Procedure: High velocity low amplitude thoracic spine manipulation; Procedure: Sham

• Registration Number: NCT06534931
• Lead Sponsor: University of New England

Brief Summary

The goal of this trial was to determine if a mid-thoracic high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation improves force output in those with unilateral hip adductor weakness. The main aims were to determine if the intervention:

Improved hip adductor force and muscle activation immediately and 48 h post manipulation compared to a control group.

Improved gluteus maximus and latissimus dorsi force and muscle activation immediately and 48 h post manipulation compared to a control group.

Strength and muscle activation of the hip adductors, hip extensors (gluteus maximus), and shoulder extensors (latissimus dorsi) were measured prior to, immediate after, and 48 hours after receiving a high velocity low amplitude manipulation to the thoracic spine. The manipulation was performed by a licensed chiropractor.

A control group received a validated sham manipulation to the thoracic spine. Participants were blinded to group assignment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-11-08
• Primary Completion: 2023-12-13
• Study Completion: 2023-12-13
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Study First Submitted: 2024-07-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-07-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-30
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-02
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Unilateral hip adductor weakness, as assessed by manual muscle testing
• Pain free hip motion
• No contraindications to high velocity thoracic spine manipulation including:

Any known active cancer/ Metastatic Bone Cancer Osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders Signs of spinal cord compression Nerve root compression with increasing neurologic deficit Signs of Vertebrobasilar insufficiency/ cervical artery abnormalities Bleeding Diatheses Angina pectoris

Exclusion Criteria

• Current pain in the adductor muscle group
• Past history of hip surgery
• Past history of hip fracture
• History of spine or rib fractures
• Psoas muscle group (hip flexor) weakness as determined by manual muscle testing
• Received a chiropractic manipulation in past week

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Manipulation	High velocity low amplitude thoracic spine manipulation	Those in the intervention group received a high velocity low amplitude manipulation to the mid-thoracic spine provided by a licensed chiropractor.
Sham	Sham	Those in the control group received a validated sham manipulation to the mid-thoracic spine. The sham manipulation was done so that there was minimal downward force applied to the spine.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Hip adductor muscle activity (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.
Hip adductor force (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the hip adductors in the weaker limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Gluteus maximus muscle activity (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.
Hip extension force (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the hip extensors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.
Hip extension force (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the hip extensors in the weak limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.
Shoulder extension force (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the shoulder extensors in the weak limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.
Latissimus dorsi muscle activity (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.
Latissimus dorsi muscle activity (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.
Shoulder extension force (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the shoulder extensors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.
Hip adductor muscle activity (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.
Gluteus maximus muscle activity (weak limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention	Mean muscle activity during isometric contraction. Measured with surface electrode and reported as a percentage of maximum activation.
Hip adductor force (strong limb)	Pre intervention, immediatly post intervention, 48 hours post intervention	Isometric force produced by the hip adductors in the strong limb. Measured with a force transducer and reported in Newtons.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of New England; 🇺🇸 Portland, Maine, United States