Analysis of Crepitus in Human Subjects

Running, not enrolling

Conditions studied: Low Back Pain, Healthy

In brief

Chiropractic adjustment has been shown to gap certain joints in the spine, thereby improving mobility in individuals with decreased movement capabilities. During normal motion, joints in the spine produce sounds and vibrations called crepitus. The purpose of this study is to assess how this crepitus may be used as an indicator for joint degeneration in healthy human subjects and those with low back pain, and if chiropractic adjusting causes change in this crepitus. The investigators hypothesize that change in crepitus after adjustment may be a useful indication of changes in joint mobility and joint stiffness.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT05425017
Run by: National University of Health Sciences
People needed: 12
Starts: 2024-09-01
Expected to finish: 2025-12-01
Last updated by the study team: 2024-12-05

Who can join

Age: 30 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Healthy (no LBP) Subjects (n=6):
30 to 75 years of age
No previous history of LBP lasting for more than two weeks, or no more than three episodes of back pain of brief duration (one week) in any given year (to recruit healthy subjects with no history, or a minimal history, of LBP).
No presence of current LBP
Female with a BMI of 28 or less; Male with a BMI of 30 or less.
LBP Subjects Criteria (n=6):
30 to 75 years of age
Current LBP of at least one-week (7 days) duration
Female with a BMI of 28 or less; Male with a BMI of 30 or less.

You may not qualify if…

Healthy Subjects:
Under 30 or over 75 years of age
History of an episode of LBP lasting for more than two weeks, or more than three episodes of back pain of brief duration (one week) in any given year (see reasons for no LBP in Inclusion Criteria)
Presence of Current LBP
Prior spinal surgery
Presence of current spinal fracture, tumor, infection, or scoliosis of greater than 5 degrees (Cobb's angle, scoliosis decreases ability to place the accelerometers); or other known significant pathology
Known allergies to latex or adhesives (including Band-Aids) applied to the skin (accelerometers are taped to the skin)
BMI over 30 for males; BMI over 28 for females (subject will be weighed at exam)
Pregnancy (because of unique biomechanical patterns and changes in the ranges of motion that occur during pregnancy)
Positive findings on any of the orthopedic or neurological tests listed on exam form; (because these subjects will be assessed as healthy individuals, indication of somatic pathology or neurological deficit are exclusionary criteria)
Decreased range of motion (as measured with a goniometer) of the lumbar region (recording during flexion and extension ranges of motion are conducted in the study; consequently a full range of motion is necessary for the healthy subjects). The following ranges will be exclusionary: Flexion: < 40º (normal = 60º); Extension: < 10º (normal = 20º);
Pain or discomfort during set-up for lumbar side-posture spinal manipulation (SMT) or during lumbar SMT given at the conclusion of the examination (the study assesses changes following SMT, consequently ability to tolerate SMT is important)
Contraindication to manipulative treatment
LBP Subjects:
Under 30 or over 75 years of age
Absence of Current LBP of at least one-week (7 days) duration
BMI over 30 for males; BMI over 28 for females (subject will be weighed at exam)
Known allergies to latex or adhesives (including Band Aids) applied to the skin (accelerometers are taped to the skin)
Pregnancy (because of unique biomechanical patterns and changes in the ranges of motion that occur during pregnancy)
Pain radiating below the knee
Presence of current spinal fracture, tumor, infection, or scoliosis of greater than 5 degrees (Cobb's angle, scoliosis decreases ability to place the accelerometers); or other known significant pathology
Prior spinal surgery
Negative findings on all of the orthopedic or neurological tests listed on exam form
Contraindication to manipulative treatment

Where it is running

National University of Health Sciences — Lombard, Illinois, United States
National University of Health Science — Lombard, Illinois, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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