Neuromuscular neutral zones in humans: A new method to assess spinal stability

这项研究的长期目标是深入了解脊柱稳定性的机制， 测量技术，将是关键的评估脊柱推拿治疗（SMT）的效果 对健康个体和腰痛患者的韧带介导反射的影响。此基础 研究表明脊柱稳定性的神经肌肉机制与结构内在相关， 脊柱和周围组织的损伤因此，SMT技术可能会直接影响 被动组织中的机械感受器可以通过改善运动的时间来减轻运动期间的疼痛。 稳定由神经肌肉中性区（NNZ）定义的腰椎反射。 为了研究手法治疗对神经退行性变的影响， 这些在人类中必须首先使用健康人群来建立。本项目的指导阶段（K99） 该奖项将持续一年，用于证明人类中存在NNZ，检查 肌肉都参与其中，并仔细研究它们在这种现象中的相互作用。三个假设将是 与这一特定目标相关的测试。 独立阶段（ROO）将持续三年，并围绕两个具体目标。第一个目标是 开发一种非侵入性技术来测量椎间运动学。第二个目标是 建立可靠的方法来量化NNZ，检查三种旋转模式之间的差异， 并研究性别对这些测量的影响。四个假设将测试与这些目标有关。这 研究将在位于科罗拉多丹佛大学的运动科学实验室进行。 这项研究的成功完成将为未来的患者测试提供基础方法 人群和实施旨在深入了解SMT治疗机制的临床试验 和生理学性质。这一研究轨迹将提供定量和 在诊断和治疗大量寻求 治疗腰痛。

The long-term goals of this research are to gain insight into mechanisms of spinal stability and develop measurement techniques that will be critical for assessing the effects of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) on ligament-mediated reflexes in healthy individuals and patients with low back pain. The basis of this investigation is that neuromuscular mechanisms of spinal stability are inherently connected with the structure of the spine and surrounding tissues. Therefore, techniques of SMT likely have a direct effect on mechanoreceptors in the passive tissue that may alleviate pain during movement by improving timing of stabilizing reflexes in the lumbar spine as defined by neuromuscular neutral zones (NNZs). In order to investigate the effects of manipulative therapy on NNZs, the presence and reliability of measuring these in humans must first be established using a healthy population. The mentored phase (K99) of this award will last one year, and be used to demonstrate the presence of NNZs in humans, examine which muscle are involved, and scrutinize their interactions within this phenomenon. Three hypotheses will be tested that are relevant to this single specific aim. The independent phase (ROO) will last three years, and is centered on two specific aims. The first aim will be to develop a non-invasive technique to measure intervertebral kinematics. The second aim will be to establish reliable methodology to quantify NNZs, examine differences between three rotational paradigms, and investigate sex effects on these measures. Four hypotheses will be tested relevant to these aims. This research will be conducted in a movement science laboratory located at the University of Colorado Denver. Successful completion of this research will provide foundational methodology for future testing in patient populations and implementing clinical trials designed to gain insight into therapeutic mechanisms of SMT and physiological nature of functional spinal lesions. This research trajectory will provide quantitative and evaluative assistance to clinicians when diagnosing and treating the large population of patients who seek therapy for low back pain.