Georg Pfluegler1, Johanna Kasper2, Kerstin Luedtke3. 1. Faculty of Health and Well Being, Sheffield Hallam University, Broomhall Road, Sheffield, S10 2BP, United Kingdom. 2. Private Physiotherapy Practice "teamphysios", Kreuzgasse 37, 1180, Vienna, Austria. 3. Academic Physiotherapy, Pain and Exercise Research, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Luebeck, Germany. Electronic address: kerstin.luedtke@uni-luebeck.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Passive joint mobilisation is popular among healthcare providers and their patients; however, its effectiveness for improving muscle function is not well researched and the mechanisms of action involved are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of passive joint mobilisations on the function of muscles surrounding the targeted joints in symptomatic as well as asymptomatic individuals. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled experimental trials assessing the immediate effect of passive joint mobilisation on outcomes associated with local muscle function. DATA COLLECTION: Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: A total of seventeen studies were included, of which ten studies reported data on asymptomatic individuals and seven studies reported data on symptomatic individuals with various conditions. There is a moderate level of evidence that joint mobilisation immediately decreases the activation of superficial muscles during low load conditions in symptomatic individuals. For asymptomatic individuals, there is a low level of evidence that passive joint mobilisation improves maximum muscle strength when compared to sham mobilisation, opposed to a very low level of evidence suggesting no effect in symptomatic individuals. The five studies reporting data on both, changes in muscle function as well as changes in pain, suggest that other, not pain-related mechanisms may play an important role regarding the reported improvement in muscle function. CONCLUSION: Current best evidence suggests that passive joint mobilisation has the ability to immediately alter muscle function. The specific mechanisms of action involved require further basic science investigations. Registration number (PROSPERO): CRD42018117033.
BACKGROUND: Passive joint mobilisation is popular among healthcare providers and their patients; however, its effectiveness for improving muscle function is not well researched and the mechanisms of action involved are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of passive joint mobilisations on the function of muscles surrounding the targeted joints in symptomatic as well as asymptomatic individuals. SELECTION CRITERIA: Controlled experimental trials assessing the immediate effect of passive joint mobilisation on outcomes associated with local muscle function. DATA COLLECTION: Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: A total of seventeen studies were included, of which ten studies reported data on asymptomatic individuals and seven studies reported data on symptomatic individuals with various conditions. There is a moderate level of evidence that joint mobilisation immediately decreases the activation of superficial muscles during low load conditions in symptomatic individuals. For asymptomatic individuals, there is a low level of evidence that passive joint mobilisation improves maximum muscle strength when compared to sham mobilisation, opposed to a very low level of evidence suggesting no effect in symptomatic individuals. The five studies reporting data on both, changes in muscle function as well as changes in pain, suggest that other, not pain-related mechanisms may play an important role regarding the reported improvement in muscle function. CONCLUSION: Current best evidence suggests that passive joint mobilisation has the ability to immediately alter muscle function. The specific mechanisms of action involved require further basic science investigations. Registration number (PROSPERO): CRD42018117033.