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A survey on the importance of lumbar coupling biomechanics in physiotherapy practice.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Cook, C; Showalter, C
Published in: Man Ther
August 2004

Knowledge of lumbar coupling biomechanics is foundational in many manual therapy disciplines. 3-D studies of lumbar coupling indicate that coupling direction may not be predictable. The purpose of this study was to investigate physiotherapists' perception of importance of lumbar coupling for validation of manual therapy, necessity in treatment, and perceived direction of lumbar coupling biomechanics. A sample of 369 physiotherapists within the United States volunteered to participate in this study. An ologit regression analysis investigated factors associated with perception of lumbar coupling. A Fleiss Kappa determined the agreement of coupling direction among physiotherapists. The majority of physiotherapists indicated that lumbar coupling biomechanics were important or very important, frequently used during treatment, and necessary for validation of manual therapy. The ologit regressions identified that the importance placed upon lumbar coupling biomechanics is highly related toward therapists' pre-concept of coupling. Kappa values for the five spinal segments were negative indicating worse than chance agreement: L1-2 = -0.10; L2-3 = -0.11; L3-4 = -0.09; L4-5 = -0.10; and L5-S1 = -0.09. The poor Kappa values, strong pre-conceptual perceptions of coupling necessity, and the importance placed upon lumbar coupling for treatment could lead to disparities among physiotherapists in lumbar manual therapy assessment and treatment.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Man Ther

DOI

ISSN

1356-689X

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

9

Issue

3

Start / End Page

164 / 172

Location

Scotland

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Time Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Spinal Cord
  • Regression Analysis
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Manipulation, Spinal
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Cook, C., & Showalter, C. (2004). A survey on the importance of lumbar coupling biomechanics in physiotherapy practice. Man Ther, 9(3), 164–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2004.03.003
Cook, Chad, and Christopher Showalter. “A survey on the importance of lumbar coupling biomechanics in physiotherapy practice.Man Ther 9, no. 3 (August 2004): 164–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2004.03.003.
Cook, Chad, and Christopher Showalter. “A survey on the importance of lumbar coupling biomechanics in physiotherapy practice.Man Ther, vol. 9, no. 3, Aug. 2004, pp. 164–72. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.math.2004.03.003.
Journal cover image

Published In

Man Ther

DOI

ISSN

1356-689X

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

9

Issue

3

Start / End Page

164 / 172

Location

Scotland

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Time Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Spinal Cord
  • Regression Analysis
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Manipulation, Spinal