Date of Award

Spring 4-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Rehabilitation Sciences

Program/Concentration

Physical Therapy

Committee Director

John L. Echternach

Committee Member

George Maihafer

Committee Member

Martha Walker

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P45 G74

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a device that could be used in clinical situations to measure spinal height in subjects with lower back pain.

Introduction: Spinal height measurement provides information on the impact of spinal loading on the intervertebral disc. The stadiometer is presently the most accurate device for this purpose but users of the device must be trained to be measured. This excludes untrainable subjects such as those with lower back pain. For this study, a new ins1rument was developed combining aspects of the stadiometer and other devices to produce a simpler method of measurement.

Methods: A sample of 40 subjects with lower back pain were compared to a group of 40 subjects without lower back pain. Five measurements were taken at 4 minute intervals while the subject was in a semi-Fowler's position. Three measurements were then taken at 4 minute intervals while the subject walked. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess differences between groups for position and time of measurement effects.

Results: No significant differences were found in spinal height between groups for any of the measurement intervals using the new instrument.

Conclusions: The measuring device, investigated in this study, demonstrated no differences in spinal height between subjects with and without lower back pain when supine and walking.

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In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/7t5d-n282

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