The effect of BLT applied to the talocrural joint on unipedal postural sway in asymptomatic students.
Item
- Title
- The effect of BLT applied to the talocrural joint on unipedal postural sway in asymptomatic students.
- Author(s)
- De Hennezel, J
- Abstract
- Balance Ligamentous Tension is a manual technique that can easily be misinterpreted as simple light touch - or hand imposition - by those who are not familiar with osteopathic teachings. Although supported by a long history of osteopathic empirical evidence, recent undergraduate research projects have suggested that BLT has no effect on knee and cervical range of motion. At best, findings suggest that BLT and light touch have a similar effect on proprioception. These findings challenge the very core osteopathic principles, thus the author believes that further research is warranted. Due to the growing need for evidence-based practice, the lack of evidence showing any effect of BLT could result in its disappearance from School syllabuses. Aim: The purpose of this study is firstly to investigate whether Balanced Ligamentous Tension (BLT) technique to the talocrural joint has an effect on proprioception (measured as unipedal postural sway) and secondly to determine if BLT has a greater, lesser or similar effect to light touch (LT). Method: A sample of 62 asymptomatic students was randomly (without minimization) allocated to three groups due to receive different interventions: BLT, LT or Control. The variables of time and position were kept constant for the three groups. Postural sway was recorded via a force platform three times before and after the intervention. Results: t-tests conducted showed no significant statistical difference between before and after measurements within all three groups (BLT: p=0.228 ; Control: p=0.226 ; LT: p=0.071). Non-parametric testing between groups showed a highly significant statistical difference (Kruskall-Wallis: p=0.000) between BLT and both LT and Control groups (Mann Whitney U: p=0.000). Descriptive statistics are seemingly congruent with these results. However no significant difference was found between LT and Control groups (Mann Whitney U: p=0.601). Conclusion: BLT and LT had no statistically significant effect on postural sway. However, the effect of BLT was significantly different from that of LT. Descriptive statistics also suggested BLT and LT both decrease postural sway, whereas sitting still (Control) increases postural sway. The statistical power of the present study was calculated within groups (<0.15) and showed high probability of type 2 error. More elaborate research should be carried out to confirm or deny these findings. Databases: Swetswise, Science direct, Pubmed, Google scholar, NCOR, Osteopathic Research, JAOA, Soutron (ESO). Keywords: Postural stability, ankle, postural control/sway/stability, balanced ligamentous tension, force plate, inverted pendulum, sway, lateral sway, proprioception, ligament, tissue repair, light touch, collagen, fascia, extracellular matrix.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2014
- Date Submitted
- 20.1.2015 16:43:39
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15489
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Ankle, BLT, Force platform
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
De Hennezel, J, “The effect of BLT applied to the talocrural joint on unipedal postural sway in asymptomatic students.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 17, 2024, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/675