Development of the measurement system of the postero-to-anterior movements of the cervical spine

An essential part of improving manual therapy treatment for cervical spondylosis is to objectively quantifies the relationship between the manually applied force and the resulting displacement during Postero-to-Anterior (PA) movements. In this research we developed a reliable device which could be used in a clinical setting and record four different levels force-displacement curves of PA movements automatically. The measurement objectively quantifies the force characteristic parameters of four different levels. The ranges of amplitude and frequency are listed out and a method is given for fitting applied force curves of four different levels by manual therapists. We also calculate individual´s stiffness at C2 and C5 spinous process and find that cervical spine stiffness differs between individuals. This information forms the basis for future research, teaching and clinical practice that could improve manual therapy skills and design an intelligent system for cervical spinal rehabilitation to replace manual therapists.