Viewing Study NCT00070902


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Study NCT ID: NCT00070902
Status: COMPLETED
Last Update Posted: 2006-08-18
First Post: 2003-10-09
Is NOT Gene Therapy: False
Has Adverse Events: False

Brief Title: Using MRI Scans to Evaluate Spinal Manipulation
Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Organization:

Study Overview

Official Title: The Effects of Positioning and Adjusting on the Z Joint
Status: COMPLETED
Status Verified Date: 2006-08
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: False
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: None
Brief Summary: 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.
Detailed Description: 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).

Study Oversight

Has Oversight DMC:
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
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Is a PPSD?:
Is a US Export?:
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