(March 11, 2016) A
new study out of the University of Alberta shows vibration technology could
help doctors find out what’s shaking with back pain sufferers.
Teaming up with the University of South Denmark, Greg
Kawchuk, professor of physical therapy in the faculty of rehabilitative
medicine, studied the lumbar spines of identical twins.
They discovered structural changes in the spine
significantly affect the way the spine responds to vibration.
“We used gentle vibrations to find out where problems exist
in the back,” Kawchuk said. “By studying and testing vibration responses in
identical twins, we were able to demonstrate that structural changes within the
spine alter its vibration response.”
The study relied on Denmark’s identical twin registry — the
largest and most comprehensive of its kind
— and researchers found that while twins who had similar spines had
similar responses to vibration, in twins where one had sustained a back injury
the vibration response between the two was significantly different.
Researchers believe that this research could help doctors diagnose
back problems that may not be visible using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI,
scans, and may uncover new diagnoses for those plagued with back pain.
“While an MRI shows us a picture of the spine, it doesn’t
show how the spine is working. It’s like taking a picture of a car to see if
the car is capable of starting. Vibration diagnostics shows us more than how
the spine looks, it shows us how the spine is functioning,” Kawchuk said.
Brienne McKenzie (left), PhD student, and Manmeet Mamik,
post-doctoral student, work in the Brain Power Lab at the University of Alberta
in Edmonton on Thursday, March 10, 2016. Ian Kucerak
They also believe it could help prevent wasteful,
unnecessary MRI scans.
“One of the biggest problems in back pain today is over-utilization
of MRI scans in patients that do not need them. This is a waste of health-care
resources that leads to over-treatment and even increased disability,” said Jan
Hartvigsen, professor of clinical biomechanics and musculoskeletal research
with the University of Southern Denmark.
“By using a simple, safe and inexpensive technology like
this, we can potentially decrease the use of these scans significantly,”
Hartvigsen added.