Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate if spinal height increases using 3-dimensional (3-D) spinal position with and without manual distraction load and to assess the correlation between spine height changes and degrees of trunk rotation.

Methods: Fifty-six participants were randomly placed in one of two groups: (1) 3-D spinal position with manual distraction load, and (2) without manual distraction load. Spinal height was measured before and after the interventions using a stadiometer. For the statistical analysis, we used a 2 (Loading status: pre- versus post-intervention height) X 2 (3-D spinal position: with versus without manual distraction load) repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to identify significant interaction and main effects. Paired t-tests were used to calculate differences in spinal height changes between the two interventions. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure correlations between changes in spinal heights and degrees of trunk rotation.

Results: Mean spinal height increase with 3-D spinal position with and without manual distraction load was 6.30 mm (±6.22) and 5.69 mm (±4.13), respectively. No significant interaction effect was present between loading status and 3-D spinal position but a significant main effect in loading status was. Paired t-tests revealed significant differences in spinal heights between pre-and post-3-D spinal position with and without manual distraction load. No significant correlation was measured between trunk rotation and spinal height changes.

Conclusion: 3-D spinal position with or without distraction load increased spinal height. This suggests that 3-D spinal positioning without manual distraction could be used in home settings to help maintain intervertebral disc (IVD) health.

Author keywords: Invertebral Disc; Three-Dimensional Positions; Height Change; Stadiometer; Manual Distraction; Mobilization

Author affiliations: SSH, JMB, PSS, BMD: Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX; FD: Centre National de Réeducation Fonctionnelle et de Réadaptation-Rehazenter, Laboratoire d'Analyse du Mouvement et de la Posture (LAMP), Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; PT: Forme & Fonctionnement Humain Laboratory, Physical Therapy Department, CERISIC, Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut & Université Catholique de Louvain, Faculty of Motor Sciences, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; SS: Research Unit in Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Départment d'anatomie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada

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