Skip to main content
. 2017 Apr 25;42(9):635–643. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002096

TABLE 3.

Average and 95% Confidence Intervals of Peak and Mean Forces Experienced by the Intact Spinal Segment and Spinal Structures During Different Methods of SMT Application

Method of SMT Application Intact Specimen
Peak Mean
X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf) X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf)
INST 0.41 N;*,† 95% CI: (−7.37, 8.20) −1.64 N; *,†95% CI: (−3.40, 0.11) 4.79 N; 95% CI: (−5.85, 15.45) 6.56 N; 95% CI: (−0.20, 13.32) −3.38 N; 95% CI: (−5.12, −1.64) 2.20 N; 95% CI: (−8.63, 13.03)
MAN −14.92 N; 95% CI: (−24.78, −5.06) −22.23 N; 95% CI: (−29.45, −15.02) 13.84 N; 95% CI: (4.84, 22.85) 4.32 N; 95% CI: (−4.08, 12.73) −4.06 N; 95% CI: (−6.95, −1.16) 10.01 N; 95% CI: (3.17, 16.85)
SERVO −11.78 N; 95% CI: (−22.17, −1.40) −24.00 N; 95% CI: (−29.09, −18.90) 7.33 N; 95% CI: (2.58, 12.09) 2.26 N; 95% CI: (−5.27, 9.79) −5.66 N; 95% CI: (−7.72, −3.60) 8.50 N; 95% CI: (2.74, 14.25)
Supra- and interspinous ligaments
Peak Mean
X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf) X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf)
INST −0.02 N; 95% CI: (−0.08, 0.02) −0.08 N; 95% CI: (−0.31, 0.14) −0.05 N; 95% CI: (−0.22, 0.11) −0.03 N; 95% CI: (−0.06, −0.00) −0.24 N; 95% CI: (−0.31, −0.17) −0.08 N; *95% CI: (−0.22, 0.05)
MAN 0.08 N; 95% CI: (−0.13, 0.30) −0.00 N; 95% CI: (−0.05, 0.03) 0.18 N; 95% CI: (−0.02, 0.39) −0.05 N; 95% CI: (−0.10, −0.00) −0.13 N; 95% CI: (−0.52, 0.26) −1.04 N; 95% CI: (−2.22, 0.15)
SERVO −0.00 N; 95% CI: (−0.03, 0.03) −0.03 N; 95% CI: (−0.06, −0.01) −0.06 N; 95% CI: (−0.52, 0.39) 0.11 N; 95% CI: (−0.14, 0.37) −0.15 N; 95% CI: (−0.31, 0.37) −0.33 N; 95% CI: (−1.24, 0.56)
Facet Joints, Capsules and Ligamentum Flavum
Peak Mean
X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf) X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf)
INST −0.18 N; 95% CI: (−0.42, 0.05) 0.23 N; 95% CI: (−0.42, 0.88) −0.18 N;*,† 95% CI: (−0.84, 0.47) −0.12 N; 95% CI: (−0.23, −0.01) 0.39 N;* 95% CI: (0.00, 0.78) −0.21 N; *95% CI: (−0.50, 0.06)
MAN −0.24 N; 95% CI: (−1.10, 0.61) 0.04 N; 95% CI: (−0.43, 0.51) 0.31 N; 95% CI: (0.00, 0.62) −0.37 N; 95% CI: (−0.61, −0.13) −0.63 N; 95% CI: (−2.51, 1.24) −1.22 N; 95% CI: (−3.13, 0.68)
SERVO 0.17 N; 95% CI: (−0.06, 0.40) 0.17 N; 95% CI: (0.06, 0.27) 0.54 N; 95% CI: (−0.20, 1.28) −0.12 N; 95% CI: (−0.38, 0.14) 0.74 N; 95% CI: (−0.16, 1.66) −0.68 N; 95% CI: (−2.06, 0.69)
Intervertebral disc, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
Peak Mean
X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf) X (lateral) Y (ant post) Z (sup inf)
INST −0.82 N; 95% CI: (−1.00, −0.64) −0.65 N; *,†95% CI: (−1.23, −0.07) −0.42 N; 95% CI: (−1.17, 0.32) −0.73 N; 95% CI: (−0.87, −0.59) −0.90 N;* 95% CI: (−1.21, −0.60) −0.78 N; 95% CI: (−1.19, −0.37)
MAN −0.82 N; 95% CI: (−1.50, −0.14) −1.01 N; 95% CI: (−1.26, −0.76) −0.33 N; 95% CI: (−0.97, 0.31) −0.46 N; 95% CI: (−1.00, 0.08) 0.85 N; 95% CI: (−0.98, 2.68) −0.64 N; 95% CI: (−3.05, 1.76)
SERVO −1.16 N; 95% CI: (−1.49, −0.84) −0.95 N; 95% CI: (−1.03, −0.87) 0.68 N; 95% CI: (−0.66, 2.03) −0.38 N; 95% CI: (−1.93, 1.16) −0.48 N; 95% CI: (−1.15, 0.17) −3.37 N; 95% CI: (−5.51, −1.23)

CI indicates confidence interval; INST, mechanical force manually assisted instrument (Activator V-E); MAN, manual spinal manipulative therapy application; SERVO, linear actuator motor; SMT, spinal manipulative therapy. Negative forces correspond to the opposite direction of the force observed in relation to the direction of the axis of movement.

*Significant difference (P < 0.05) in comparison with MAN.

Significant difference (P < 0.05) in comparison with SERVO.