title: Effectiveness of cervical spine stabilization techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare head motions that occur when trained professionals perform the head squeeze (HS) and trap squeeze (TS) C-spine stabilization techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-over design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve experienced lead rescuers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peak head motion with respect to initial conditions using inertial measurement units attached to the forehead and trunk of the simulated patient. We compared both HS and TS during lift-and-slide (L&S) and log-roll (LR) placement on spinal board, and agitated patient trying to sit up (AGIT-Sit) or rotate his head (AGIT-Rot). The a priori minimal important difference (MID) was 5 degrees for flexion or extension and 3 degrees for rotation or lateral flexion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The L&S technique was statistically superior to the LR technique. The only differences to exceed the MID were extension and rotation during LR (HS > TS). In the AGIT-Sit test scenario, differences in motion exceeded MID (HS > TS) for flexion, rotation, and lateral flexion. In the AGIT-Rot scenario, differences in motion exceeded MID for rotation only (HS >TS). There was similar intertrial variability of motion for HS and TS during L&S and LR but significantly more variability with HS compared with TS in the agitated patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The L&S is preferable to the LR when possible for minimizing unwanted C-spine motion. There is little overall difference between HS and TS in a cooperative patient. When a patient is confused, the HS is much worse than the TS at minimizing C-spine motion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boissy
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shrier
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brière
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mellete
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fecteau
authors.forename: Gordon O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garza
authors.forename: Willem H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Meeuwisse
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boulay
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries