A1 Journal article (refereed)
Lower thoracic spine extension mobility is associated with higher intensity of thoracic spine pain (2022)
Määttä, J., Takatalo, J., Leinonen, T., Pienimäki, T., Ylinen, J., & Häkkinen, A. (2022). Lower thoracic spine extension mobility is associated with higher intensity of thoracic spine pain. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 30(5), 300-308. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2022.2047270
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Määttä, Juhani; Takatalo, Jani; Leinonen, Tero; Pienimäki, Tuomo; Ylinen, Jari; Häkkinen, Arja
Journal or series: Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy
ISSN: 1066-9817
eISSN: 2042-6186
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 08/03/2022
Volume: 30
Issue number: 5
Pages range: 300-308
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2022.2047270
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80220
Abstract
Methods: Participants with TS pain reported maximum, average, and night pain in TS area, and pain summary score was calculated. Upright and sitting TS postures were evaluated by inspection. TS posture and mobility (flexion and extension) were recorded using an inclinometer and a tape measure, respectively. Correlations between posture and mobility assessments were calculated using Spearman rank correlation, the association of TS posture and mobility with TS pain by logistic regression analysis.
Results: The participants’ (n = 73, 52 females, age range 22–56) TS pain duration was 12 weeks on average. The correlations for measurements of TS posture and flexion mobility were higher than correlations of other TS measurements being between 0.53 and 0.82. Decreased extension mobility of the upper (from 1st to 6th TS segments; Th1–Th6) TS was associated with higher worst pain (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.07) and whole TS with pain sum score (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01– 1.08). Less kyphotic whole TS was associated with lower pain sum score (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92– 1.00). Greater flexion mobility of upper and lower (Th6–Th12) TS were associated with lower pain sum score (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.91–1.00, and OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.91–1.00, respectively).
Conclusions: Reduced thoracic extension mobility was associated with higher pain scores and the greater flexion mobility with lower pain scores. Future research is warranted to evaluate if treatments geared toward TS extension mobility improvements would result in lower TS pain.
Keywords: back; spine; pain; chronic pain; mobility; posture
Free keywords: mobility; posture; thoracic spine; thoracic pain
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1
