A pilot study to determine the effects of a supine sacroiliac orthopedic blocking procedure on cervical spine extensor isometric strength☆

Abstract 

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if an orthopedic pelvic blocking procedure affects cervical spine extensor isometric strength.

Methods

Twenty-two participants were sequentially assigned into treatment and control groups. Treatment consisted of a 2-minute procedure using orthopedic blocks (padded wedges with a 45° incline) that were placed bilaterally under the ilia as determined by leg length assessment. Isometric strength measurements took place in 2 sessions with a day of rest between. The treatment group received therapy at the second session immediate to postisometric measures.

Results

Outcome measures were the pre- and posttreatment measurements of cervical isometric extension strength in pounds. The t tests showed no statistically significant difference between groups in isometric extension strength before treatment. One-way analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference between groups after treatment (F_1,21 = 7.174, P = .014). The treatment group demonstrated an average increase of 6.35 (8.18) lb in extensor strength.

Conclusions

The current study showed a statistically significant change in cervical isometric extensor strength after sacroiliac joint blocking.

Key indexing terms: Spine, Sacroiliac joint, Manipulation, Chiropractic