High-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation (HVLA) does not alter three-dimensional position of sacroiliac joint in healthy men: A quasi-experimental study.

The impact of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulations on the behavior of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) mobility in individuals submitted to an osteopathic intervention has not been sufficiently investigated. Furthermore, there is no standard agreement on the description of the acute effects of HLVA with regards to the mobility of the SIJ through three-dimensional motion analysis. The purpose of this study was to analyse possible alterations in the mobility of the SIJ pre- and post-manipulation of the ilium bone in healthy men. Thirty healthy male patients aged between 18 and 35 years were examined and divided into two groups: manipulation (MN) and placebo (PL) groups. SIJ movement was assessed through a three-dimensional motion analysis system before and after osteopathic manipulation of the anterior ilium bone, during hip flexion. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, and Fisher's exact test was used to observe associations of interest in the mobility of the SIJ. Finally, the t-test was used to analyse values of mobility of the SIJ pre- and post-manipulation (p < 0.05). Non-significant differences were observed in SIJ mobility. In MN the means were pre-manipulation right SIJ 39.98 mm ± 10.82 [CI - 29.16-50.8] and post- 42.85 mm ± 27.17 [CI - 15.68-70.02] with p = 0.61. Pre-manipulation left SIJ 41.73 mm ± 15.34 [CI 10.89-82.99] and post- 39.97 mm ± 14.70 [CI - 24.67-54.07] with p = 0.39. HVLA does not alter the mobility of SIJ under these conditions. Further studies under different conditions, with patients that report pain, are required to fully understand the behavior of the SIJ after HVLA manipulation.