Normative values of trunk mobility in normal adults

Assessment of back function is limited due to lack of standard data set which may be used to accurately describe the range of motion of spine as there is wide disparity in the reference values for spine.The objective of present study was to establish reference values for trunk mobility in normal adults. In this cross sectional study, 137 subjects were assessed using Tape method and goniometry for trunk mobility in all planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse). The mean values by tape method and goniometry for flexion with stabilization were 6.95±0.64 cm and 74.68±5.670, (for flexion without stabilization 9.59±0.73 cm and 99.33±5.530,) for extension 4.71±0.51 cm and 26.03±3.290, for Rt. Lateral flexion 17.28±2.59 cm and 32.95±3.380, for Lt. lateral flexion 17.06±2.54 cm and 32.60±3.440, for Rt. Rotation 5.49±0.55 cm and 41.93±3.350, for Lt. rotation 5.38±0.55 cm and 41.65±3.390 respectively. The study concluded that there was no statistically significant difference for all spinal movements among the genders, except in lateral flexion (p value 0.009 & 0.008) and rotation (p value 0.023 & 0.004) where females had greater mobility than males. &nbsp