The effectiveness of strapping techniques in spinal immobilization.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effectiveness of strapping techniques in reducing lateral motion of volunteers restrained on a backboard.


METHODS
Randomized block experimentation.


METHODS
Medical products research and design laboratory.


METHODS
Healthy adult volunteers with no history of head, neck, or back trauma.


METHODS
Subjects were restrained on a wooden backboard using a control and three variations of strapping techniques. The backboard was rolled 90 degrees to the side, and lateral motion of the torso was measured.


RESULTS
Nineteen subjects participated. Technique 2, which added an abdominal strap to the control technique, reduced 26% of the lateral motion.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional, specifically placed strapping should be added to the torso to reduce lateral motion on a backboard. Further study is needed to determine the effect of lateral motion in the spine and potential benefits of reduced motion.
Mazolewski
P
P
School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Manix
T H
TH
D000328:Adult; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013165:Splints / Q000592:standards*