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Using MRI Scans to Evaluate Spinal Manipulation

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Information provided by:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00070902
First received: October 9, 2003
Last updated: August 16, 2006
Last verified: August 2006
History of Changes

October 9, 2003
August 16, 2006
June 2000
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Complete list of historical versions of study NCT00070902 on ClinicalTrials.gov Archive Site
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Using MRI Scans to Evaluate Spinal Manipulation
The Effects of Positioning and Adjusting on the Z Joint

Lumbar spinal manipulation, or chiropractic adjusting, is thought to separate the surfaces of the spinal joints and thereby relieve lower back pain. This study will use MRI scans to evaluate the spinal joints before and after spinal manipulation.

Zygapophysial joints, better known as facet or “Z” joints, are located on the back (posterior) of the spine on each side of the vertebrae where it overlaps the neighboring vertebrae. Z joints provide stability and allow the spine to bend and twist. Adhesions in the Z joints may develop following hypomobility of vertebrae. These adhesions may be alleviated by separation (gapping) of the Z joints.

Side posture adjusting (spinal manipulation) is thought by many to gap the Z joints, yet no measurable differences of the Z joints before and after spinal manipulation have ever been published. This study will evaluate gapping of the L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1 Z joints by taking measurements directly from MRI scans of the Z joints before and during positioning for a side posture adjustment, and before and after side posture adjusting.

Health volunteers will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) neutral position followed by side posture positioning (trunk rotated to the volunteer’s right); 2) neutral position followed by side posture spinal adjusting followed by neutral positioning; 3) neutral position followed by side posture spinal adjusting, followed by side posture positioning; and 4) neutral position followed by neutral position (control group). MRI scans will be taken with the volunteers in the original neutral position and in the final position (either second neutral position or side posture positioning).
Interventional
Phase 1
Allocation: Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double-Blind
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Lower Back Pain
Procedure: Lumbar side-posture spinal adjusting
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*   Includes publications given by the data provider as well as publications identified by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number) in Medline.
 
Completed
64
October 2002
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Inclusion Criteria:

  • Student at the National University of Health Sciences
  • 185 pounds or less for males and 145 pounds or less for females
  • No previous history of lower back pain lasting more than 2 weeks, or no more than three episodes of back pain of brief duration (1 to 2 weeks) in any given year

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of lower back pain
  • Presence of disc degeneration, significant osteoarthritis, scoliosis of greater than 20 degrees (Cobb's angle), or other significant pathology seen on x-rays
  • Positive findings on orthopedic or neurologic test
  • Pregnancy
  • Inability of the examining chiropractor to obtain articular releases (audible pop) during lumbar side posture adjustment given at the conclusion of the examination
Both
21 Years to 29 Years
Yes
Contact information is only displayed when the study is recruiting subjects
United States
 
NCT00070902
R01 AT000123-01
Not Provided
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National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Not Provided
Principal Investigator: Gregory D. Cramer, DC, PhD National University of Health Sciences
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
August 2006

ICMJE     Data element required by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the World Health Organization ICTRP