Soleus H-Reflex in Different Sitting Postures

Texas Woman's University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Compression of Spinal Nerve Root; Spinal Disorder; Low Back Pain

Treatments: Other: Sitting posture

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01744899

16518

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged sitting duration and three different sitting postures (erect, slumped, and slouched sitting postures) on spinal nerve root function by measuring the soleus (SOL) H-reflex amplitude. In addition, the pressure under the ischial tuberosities during the three sitting postures were assessed and correlated with the SOL H-reflex amplitude.

Full description

Participants were assigned to two groups (prolonged sitting group and controls) based on their daily sitting duration with 15 participants in each group. The outcome measures were recorded during erect, slumped and slouched sitting postures. The differences between the two groups and the three sitting postures in the outcome measures were examined for statistical significance.

Enrollment: 30 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 50 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Able to read, speak, and understand English

Exclusion criteria

1. Current complaint of low back pain.

2. Current injury to the ankle and/or foot.

3. Limited ankle movement.

4. Leg length discrepancy.

5. Scoliosis.

6. History of:

   • Back surgery.
   • Calf muscle injury/surgery.
   • Radicular symptoms.
   • Peripheral neuropathy.
   • Upper motor neuron lesion.
   • Systemic and metabolic diseases.
   • Cancer.

7. Pregnant at the time of the study.

8. Use of pain medications at the time of the study.

Trial design

30 participants in 2 patient groups

Prolonged sitting

Description:

Includes individuals who spent an average of at least 6 hours a day sitting over the past year.

Treatment:

Other: Sitting posture

Control

Description:

Includes individuals who spent 4 hours or less/day sitting over the past year.

Treatment:

Other: Sitting posture