Manual Examination of the Spine: A Systematic Critical Literature Review of Reproducibility

OBJECTIVE

Poor reproducibility of spinal palpation has been reported in previously published literature, and authors of recent reviews have posted criticism on study quality. This article critically analyzes the literature pertaining to the inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of spinal palpation to investigate the consistency of study results and assess the level of evidence for reproducibility.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on relevant literature published from 1965 to 2005, identified using the electronic databases MEDLINE, MANTIS, and CINAHL and checking of reference lists. Descriptive data from included articles were extracted independently by 2 reviewers. A 6-point scale was constructed to assess the methodological quality of original studies. A meta-analysis was conducted among the high-quality studies to investigate the consistency of data, separately on motion palpation, static palpation, osseous pain, soft tissue pain, soft tissue changes, and global assessment. A standardized method was used to determine the level of evidence.

RESULTS

The quality score of 48 included studies ranged from 0% to 100%. There was strong evidence that the interobserver reproducibility of osseous and soft tissue pain is clinically acceptable (kappa > or = 0.4) and that intraobserver reproducibility of soft tissue pain and global assessment are clinically acceptable. Other spinal procedures are either not reproducible or the evidence is conflicting or preliminary.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: evaluation and management

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is believed to be a significant source of low back and posterior pelvic pain.

METHODS

To assess the clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, and treatment options for sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE.

RESULTS

Presently, there are no widely accepted guidelines in the literature for the diagnosis and treatment of sacroiliac instability. Establishing management guidelines for this disorder has been complicated by the large spectrum of different etiologic factors, the variability of patient history and clinical symptoms, limited availability of objective testing, and incomplete understanding of the biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint.

CONCLUSIONS

A reliable examination technique to identify the sacroiliac joint as a source of low back pain seems to be pain relief following a radiologically guided injection of a local anaesthetic into the sacroiliac joint. Most patients respond to non-operative treatment. Patients who do not respond to non-operative treatment should be considered for operative sacroiliac joint stabilization.

A three-paradigm treatment model using soft tissue mobilization and guided movement-awareness techniques for a patient with chronic low back pain: a case study

It is not uncommon for physical therapists to report difficulty in treating certain subjects with chronic idiopathic low back pain. The purpose of this case study is to present a three-paradigm model of intervention that may be adapted to the treatment of such cases. The model consists of: 1) relaxation paradigm, consisting of pain modulation procedures; 2) corrective paradigm, involving manual techniques and exercise to correct specific faulty biomechanical alignment(s) eg., pelvic asymmetry); and 3) integrative paradigm, utilizing guided movement/mobilization techniques for improving the subject's overall pattern of posture and movement. The case study of a young adult with chronic low back pain correlated with unilateral innominate bone rotation is presented to illustrate the three-paradigm approach. Over six sessions, the subject received a corrective (sessions 1-3) and an integrative treatment protocol (sessions 4-6) consisting of Rolf's method of soft tissue mobilization and Alexander's system of guided movement-awareness techniques. Before and after each session and after a 4-week follow-up, the subject was assessed for sacroiliac joint pain using a compression technique, anterior rotation of the innominate bones, pelvic angle in the standing position, and vagal tone as determined from heart rate variability. The therapist's visual analysis of sit-to-stand movement and the subject's self-reports of pain were noted. A corrective paradigm protocol of soft tissue mobilization and exercise was unsuccessful in eliminating the subject's assessed anterior rotation of the innominate bone and associated low back pain for more than 1-2 days posttreatment. Only after the implementation of a third paradigm movement/mobilization protocol did the subject begin to exhibit sustained improvement through a 4-week follow-up. Interpretations of the results, appropriate selection of corrective and integrative protocols, and physiological mechanisms are discussed.