Validity of the Digital Inclinometer and iPhone When Measuring Thoracic Spine Rotation

Bucke, Jonathan; Spencer, Simon; Fawcett, Louise; Sonvico, Lawrence; Rushton, Alison; Heneghan, Nicola R

doi:10.4085/1062-6050-52.6.05

Cited by 34 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…A number of measures were put in place to minimise the influence of bias, including use of a validated measurement approach, 29 standardisation of procedures through training of assessor, assessor blinding, controlling for environmental variables, avoidance of physical activity prior to testing, partial blinding of participants in that they were not made aware of a priori planned comparison between groups and piloting of all procedures in advance of the main study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the effect of prolonged sitting and physical activity on thoracic spine mobility? An observational study of young adults in a UK university setting

et al. 2018

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ObjectiveSedentary behaviour has long been associated with neck and low back pain, although relatively little is known about the thoracic spine. Contributing around 33% of functional neck movement, understanding the effect of sedentary behaviour and physical activity on thoracic spinal mobility may guide clinical practice and inform research of novel interventions.DesignAn assessor-blinded prospective observational study designed and reported in accordance with Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.SettingUK university (June–September 2016).ParticipantsA convenience sample (18–30 years) was recruited and based on self-report behaviours, the participants were assigned to one of three groups: group 1, sitters—sitting >7 hours/day+physical activity<150 min/week; group 2, physically active—moderate exercise >150 min/week+sitting <4 hours/day and group 3, low activity—sitting 2–7 hours/day+physical activity <150 min/week.Outcome measuresThoracic spine mobility was assessed in the heel-sit position using Acumar digital goniometer; a validated measure. Descriptive and inferential analyses included analysis of variance and analysis of covariance for between group differences and Spearman’s rank correlation for post hoc analysis of associations.ResultsThe sample (n=92) comprised: sitters n=30, physically active n=32 and low activity n=30. Groups were comparable with respect to age and body mass index.Thoracic spine mobility (mean (SD)) was: group 1 sitters 64.75 (1.20), group 2 physically active 74.96 (1.18) and group 3 low activity 68.44 (1.22). Significant differences were detected between (1) sitters and low activity, (2) sitters and physically active (p<0.001). There was an overall effect size of 0.31. Correlations between thoracic rotation and exercise duration (r=0.67, p<0.001), sitting duration (r=−0.29, p<0.001) and days exercised (r=0.45, p<0.001) were observed.ConclusionsFindings evidence reduced thoracic mobility in individuals who spend >7 hours/day sitting and <150 min/week of physical activity. Further research is required to explore possible causal relationships between activity behaviours and spinal musculoskeletal health.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the effect of prolonged sitting and physical activity on thoracic spine mobility? An observational study of young adults in a UK university setting

et al. 2018

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“…Findings from this review do however lend further support for examination of, and within the thoracic spine in athletes with shoulder impairments and disruption within UL kinetic chains. Valid approaches to measure thoracic spine mobility in practice (iPhone and inclinometers) now exist and can be used to investigate effectiveness of exercise prescription on thoracic spine mobility in the future. Review findings, combined with preliminary evidence of the benefit of thoracic mobility exercises in handball players, also support a focus on thoracic spine in rehabilitation and injury prevention for athletes involved in sports with a high functional demands involving unilateral and bilateral arm elevation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thoracic spine mobility, an essential link in upper limb kinetic chains in athletes: A systematic review

et al. 2019

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Knowledge of the contribution of the thoracic spine movement, a requisite for UL functional movement, offers the potential for novel directions for research and management in rehabilitation. This systematic reviewed synthesized evidence of thoracic spine mobility during UL movement in athletes. Using three reviewers at each stage, key databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched up to 30/6/18. Eligibility criteria: adults age 18‐40 (reflecting athletic population) and studies assessing thoracic spine and UL movement. Quality assessment was evaluated using AXIS tool and GRADE for overall quality of evidence. Seven studies were included (n = 168, mean age 26.4 years, 33% males) with n = 20 in an athlete population. Main findings were: Unilateral and bilateral UL flexion resulted in 6.7‐8.0 and 12.0‐12.8° thoracic extension, respectively. Unilateral and bilateral UL abduction resulted in 3.0‐4.0 and 9.0‐15.0 and degrees, respectively. Other thoracic spine movement (lower and upper, rotation and lateral flexion) was variable across movement planes. Overall there was unequivocal evidence of thoracic spine movement, mainly extension during UL movement and notably at the end of elevation across all planes. Findings support further targeted high‐quality research and examination of thoracic mobility, an essential link in the kinetic chain, in practice.

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“…This has been attributed partly to the relatively lower prevalence of symptoms than the cervical and lumbar spine more generally, but also due to the lack of affordable, non-invasive and valid measurement tools to evaluate motion in this anatomically complex and relatively stiff spinal region [ 21 ]. With the development of new measurement approaches for thoracic posture and mobility [ 63 , 70 , 71 ] we now have tools to support research of thoracic posture and mobility in the thoracic spine region in painful neck disorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thoracic dysfunction in whiplash associated disorders: A systematic review

et al. 2018

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BackgroundResearch investigating Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) has largely focused on the cervical spine yet symptoms can be widespread. Thoracic spine pain prevalence is reported ~66%; perhaps unsurprising given the forceful stretch/eccentric loading of posterior structures of the spine, and the thoracic spine’s contribution to neck mobility/function. Approximately 50% WAD patients develop chronic pain and disability resulting in high levels of societal and healthcare costs. It is time to look beyond the cervical spine to fully understand anatomical dysfunction in WAD and provide new directions for clinical practice and research.PurposeTo evaluate the scope and nature of dysfunction in the thoracic region in patients with WAD.MethodsA systematic review and data synthesis was conducted according to a pre-defined, registered (PROSPERO, CRD42015026983) and published protocol. All forms of observational study were included. A sensitive topic-based search strategy was designed from inception to 1/06/16. Databases, grey literature and registers were searched using a study population terms and key words derived from scoping search. Two reviewers independently searched information sources, assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. A third reviewer checked for consistency and clarity. Extracted data included summary data: sample size and characteristics, outcomes, and timescales to reflect disorder state. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were tabulated to allow enabling a semi-qualitative comparison and grouped by outcome across studies. Strength of the overall body of evidence was assessed using a modified GRADE.ResultsThirty eight studies (n>50,000) which were conducted across a range of countries were included. Few authors responded to requests for further data (5 of 9 contacted). Results were reported in the context of overall quality and were presented for measures of pain or dysfunction and presented, where possible, according to WAD severity and time point post injury. Key findings include: 1) high prevalence of thoracic pain (>60%); higher for those with more severe presentations and in the acute stage, 2) low prevalence of chest pain (<22%), 3) evidence of thoracic outlet syndrome, with some association to and involvement of the brachial plexus, 4) muscle dysfunction in the form of heightened activity of the sternocleidomastoid or delayed onset of action of the serratus anterior, 5) high prevalence of myofascial pain and trigger points in the scalene muscles, sternocleidomastoid and mid/lower fibres of trapezius muscle (48–65%), and 6) inconclusive evidence of altered thoracic posture or mobility.ConclusionsConsiderable evidence supports thoracic pain and dysfunction in patients with WAD, involving primarily nerves and muscles. Notwithstanding the low/very low level of evidence from this review, our findings do support a more extensive clinical evaluation of patients presenting with WAD. Additional high quality research is required to further c...

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Validity of the Digital Inclinometer and iPhone When Measuring Thoracic Spine Rotation

Abstract: The DI and iPhone provided valid measures of thoracic spine rotation in the heel-sit position. Both can be used in clinical practice to assess thoracic spine rotation, which may be valuable when evaluating thoracic dysfunction.

Cited by 34 publications

References 15 publications

What is the effect of prolonged sitting and physical activity on thoracic spine mobility? An observational study of young adults in a UK university setting

What is the effect of prolonged sitting and physical activity on thoracic spine mobility? An observational study of young adults in a UK university setting

Thoracic spine mobility, an essential link in upper limb kinetic chains in athletes: A systematic review

Thoracic dysfunction in whiplash associated disorders: A systematic review

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