Stability of paraspinal tissue compliance in normal subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The following studies were performed in order to evaluate the stability of paraspinal tissue compliance measurements. Tissue compliance is a measure of the consistency or firmness of soft tissue and is determined by a hand-held tissue compliance meter.


METHODS
Descriptive and blinded time course intervention measurements.


METHODS
All measurements were performed on subjects placed in the prone position on flat tables in a laboratory setting.


METHODS
Forty asymptomatic volunteer subjects.


METHODS
Tissue compliance measurements of the T6 and L3 paraspinal regions.


METHODS
Tissue compliance measurements recorded as millimeters of penetration of a metered probe.


RESULTS
Data from this study indicate that paraspinal tissue compliance at the T6 and L3 regions does not change significantly over a 10-min interval, is not effected by the testing intervention and the number of abnormal left/right tissue compliance asymmetries is appropriate (5%) for a normal population of subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings tend to support the utility of tissue compliance as a possible tool for the evaluation of paraspinal soft tissue.
Sanders
G E
GE
Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO 62006-1065.
Lawson
D A
DA
D002684:Chiropractic; D003187:Compliance; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016684:Prone Position; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*