The effectiveness of strapping techniques in spinal immobilization.

Abstract

To test the effectiveness of strapping techniques in reducing lateral motion of volunteers restrained on a backboard. Randomized block experimentation. Medical products research and design laboratory. Healthy adult volunteers with no history of head, neck, or back trauma. Subjects were restrained on a wooden backboard using a control and three variations of strapping techniques. The backboard was rolled 90 degrees to the side, and lateral motion of the torso was measured. Nineteen subjects participated. Technique 2, which added an abdominal strap to the control technique, reduced 26% of the lateral motion. Additional, specifically placed strapping should be added to the torso to reduce lateral motion on a backboard. Further study is needed to determine the effect of lateral motion in the spine and potential benefits of reduced motion.